Olympic wrestling champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev will make his MMA debut in the RAF promotion within the next few months at an event in the United States. Sadulaev stated he is ready to face any opponent and when asked about potential matchups with Jon Jones and Brock Lesnar, he nodded affirmatively. He referenced Khabib Nurmagomedov's famous quote, saying his opponent can be anyone, even King Kong, as long as they make 97 kg (214 pounds). The weight specification suggests he plans to compete in the light heavyweight division.
Olympic wrestling champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev is set to cross over into professional mixed martial arts, with his debut scheduled to take place within the next few months under the RAF promotion at an event in the United States.
Sadulaev, widely regarded as one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers in history, has made clear he is not concerned about who stands across from him when he makes that first walk. Speaking publicly about the transition, he echoed the spirit of Khabib Nurmagomedov's famous declaration, stating his opponent can be anyone — even King Kong — provided they can make 97 kilograms, or 214 pounds. That weight specification points firmly toward a light heavyweight campaign.
When pressed on the possibility of facing established names such as Jon Jones and Brock Lesnar, Sadulaev responded with an affirmative nod, signaling an openness to high-profile matchups from the outset.
Why it matters
- A decorated Olympic champion entering MMA always reshapes a division's landscape, and light heavyweight is already one of the sport's most competitive weights.
- The 97-kilogram limit confirms a light heavyweight target, a division where elite wrestling has historically proven decisive.
- Early references to Jones and Lesnar suggest the RAF promotion is positioning Sadulaev for marquee crossover attention rather than a quiet developmental debut.
- His debut coming on U.S. soil under RAF raises the profile of that promotion considerably.
No opponent has been officially named for the debut, and a specific event date has not yet been confirmed.
