Khamzat Chimaev headlines RAF debut in Abu Dhabi; Arman Tsarukyan set to compete

Khamzat Chimaev will headline RAF's inaugural Abu Dhabi event on November 14, marking the wrestling-focused promotion's expansion into the United Arab Emirates under a new five-year partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism. The Swedish UFC welterweight, who maintains close ties to Abu Dhabi, expressed enthusiasm about competing near his home, telling MMA Fighting that the arena will be just minutes from his residence.

Chimaev is not the only UFC talent on the card. Arman Tsarukyan, fresh off a knockout victory over Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331, is also scheduled to compete in Abu Dhabi—a turnaround that comes just weeks after he faces Dillon Danis in RAF 14's main event in October. The card will feature an impressive lineup of elite grapplers alongside the MMA action. Olympic gold medalists Kyle Snyder and Jordan Burroughs, along with Russian wrestling star Sadulaev, are expected to compete. Former UFC two-division champion and Olympic wrestler Henry Cejudo is also anticipated to participate.

RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein emphasized the magnitude of the event, highlighting the convergence of world-class wrestlers and combat athletes. The Abu Dhabi show will also include RAF's first Next Gen event in the region, continuing the promotion's strategy of global expansion following successful events in Georgia and Moscow.

RAF co-founder Izzy Martinez framed wrestling as a universal language that transcends borders, explaining that elite grapplers instantly recognize and respect one another regardless of nationality or background. This philosophy underpins RAF's international push—building a sport that celebrates wrestling's global community while introducing combat sports to new markets.