Real American Freestyle has announced a five-year deal with Abu Dhabi, with its debut event set for November 14 at Etihad Arena. Khamzat Chimaev headlines the card against an opponent to be announced, while Arman Tsarukyan, Henry Cejudo, Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder, and Abdulrashid Sadulaev are also confirmed to compete. Chimaev, who went 3-0 under the RAF banner including a victory over Gilbert Burns at RAF 13, is expected to face Colby Covington in a matchup that has not yet been officially confirmed.
Real American Freestyle is heading to the Middle East for the first time, with the promotion announcing a five-year partnership with Abu Dhabi and a debut event scheduled for November 14 at Etihad Arena. Khamzat Chimaev will headline the card, though his opponent has not yet been officially confirmed.
Chimaev enters the event as one of the sport's most dominant forces. The 32-year-old, who competes out of Allstars Training Center and holds a 15-1 professional record, is currently ranked first in the middleweight division and sits at number ten in the pound-for-pound standings. Fighting out of the UAE, he brings a relentless, high-volume style to the cage — landing 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate while averaging an elite 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. He has gone 3-0 under the RAF banner, with his most recent win coming against Gilbert Burns at RAF 13. A matchup with Colby Covington has been reported as the expected main event, though that bout has not been officially confirmed.
Covington, 38, carries a 17-5 record and is known for one of the most relentless wrestling-based pressure games in the sport, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career.
Also confirmed to compete on the card are Arman Tsarukyan, Henry Cejudo, wrestling legends Jordan Burroughs and Kyle Snyder, and Olympic champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev. Cejudo, nicknamed "Triple C," is 39 years old and holds a 16-6 record, bringing a blend of elite wrestling — 1.84 takedowns per 15 minutes — and sharp striking at 47 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- RAF's five-year Abu Dhabi deal signals a major long-term push into the Middle Eastern market
- Chimaev competing in the UAE adds a significant regional storyline given his connection to the country
- The reported Chimaev-Covington matchup would pit the top-ranked middleweight against a former welterweight title contender with elite wrestling credentials
- A stacked supporting card featuring Olympic-level grapplers alongside established MMA names raises the event's profile considerably
