Olympic wrestling champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev will make his professional MMA debut with the RAF promotion in the United States within the next few months. When asked about potential opponents including Jon Jones and Brock Lesnar, Sadulaev nodded affirmatively, indicating willingness to face high-profile names. He stated he is ready for any opponent, quoting Khabib Nurmagomedov's famous line about fighting King Kong, but added the condition that his opponent must make 97 kg (approximately 214 pounds). This weight requirement is notably lower than heavyweight, where Jones and Lesnar typically compete.
Abdulrashid Sadulaev, one of the most decorated wrestlers in Olympic history, is set to make his professional MMA debut with the RAF promotion in the United States within the next few months.
The Russian, widely regarded as the greatest Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestler of his generation, will cross over into combat sports under the RAF banner. No specific opponent or date has been confirmed, but Sadulaev indicated the transition is imminent.
When asked about the possibility of facing marquee names such as Jon Jones and Brock Lesnar, Sadulaev responded affirmatively, signaling a willingness to engage with the biggest names available. He echoed a line closely associated with Khabib Nurmagomedov, conveying that he is prepared to face any opponent placed in front of him. However, Sadulaev attached one clear condition: his opponent must be able to make 97 kilograms, roughly 214 pounds.
Why it matters
- The 97-kilogram limit sits meaningfully below the standard heavyweight ceiling of 265 pounds, which could complicate any matchup with Jones or Lesnar, both of whom compete at heavyweight.
- Sadulaev's wrestling pedigree is extraordinary, and his entry into MMA carries the kind of mainstream attention that few debuting fighters generate.
- The RAF promotion secures a significant profile signing if the debut proceeds as reported, with the United States as the intended market.
- No opponent has been named, and the weight stipulation will be a central factor in determining who is realistically available to face him.
The weight condition Sadulaev has set effectively creates a new conversation around which division he intends to compete in, with 97 kg aligning loosely with a light heavyweight or a catch-weight arrangement rather than true heavyweight. How RAF and potential opponents respond to that requirement will shape the entire trajectory of his debut.
