Russian Olympic wrestling champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev is set to debut in RAF (Russian MMA promotion) within the next few months at a tournament in the United States. When asked about potential opponents including Jon Jones and Brock Lesnar, Sadulaev nodded affirmatively. He referenced Khabib Nurmagomedov's famous quote, saying his opponent could be King Kong as long as they can make 97 kg (approximately 213 pounds). The post suggests Sadulaev is open to facing any opponent in his weight class. This represents a significant crossover from elite wrestling to mixed martial arts for the decorated Olympic champion.
Russian Olympic wrestling champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev is set to make his mixed martial arts debut under the RAF banner, with the Russian promotion planning to stage his first fight at a tournament on U.S. soil within the coming months.
Sadulaev, one of the most decorated freestyle wrestlers of his generation and a multiple-time Olympic gold medalist, is crossing over into MMA at a weight class centered around 97 kilograms — roughly 213 pounds. When asked about possible opponents, Sadulaev nodded affirmatively at the mention of both Jon Jones and Brock Lesnar. He framed his openness by echoing Khabib Nurmagomedov's well-known sentiment: the opponent could be King Kong, so long as they can make the weight.
Jon Jones, 38, holds a 28-1-0 professional record and is one of the most accomplished fighters in UFC history. The six-foot-four orthodox striker lands 4.38 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy and has averaged 1.89 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career, with a reach of 84 inches.
Brock Lesnar, now 48 years old, carries a 5-3-0 professional record and competed as an orthodox heavyweight standing six-foot-three with an 81-inch reach. Lesnar was a formidable grappling presence in his MMA career, averaging 3.9 takedowns per 15 minutes and posting a striking accuracy of 72 percent.
Why it matters
- Sadulaev's elite wrestling pedigree makes him an immediate high-profile name in the 97-kilogram division
- Jones and Lesnar are both credentialed heavyweights whose names attached to this debut signal the scale of ambition around the matchup
- A U.S.-based RAF event would mark a notable international expansion for the Russian promotion
- The crossover adds a marquee storyline to the heavyweight landscape heading into the latter half of 2026
