Real American Freestyle Abu Dhabi: Chimaev vs Covington at Etihad Arena on 14 November
RAF's first Middle East event brings Khamzat Chimaev, Colby Covington, Arman Tsarukyan and Olympic wrestlers to Yas Island.
Real American Freestyle (RAF) holds its first Middle East event at Etihad Arena on Yas Island on Saturday 14 November. Khamzat Chimaev headlines against Colby Covington for RAF's Cruiserweight Crossover Championship, Arab News reported.
Both men are unbeaten in RAF. Chimaev has competed under the UAE flag since 2023, so this is effectively a home event for him, while Covington is a two-time NCAA All-American wrestler and a former interim champion in MMA.
The wider card has big wrestling and MMA names. Arman Tsarukyan, Henry Cejudo, Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder and Abdulrashid Sadulaev are all confirmed, with their opponents still to be announced along with further bouts and broadcast details.
The event starts a five-year partnership between RAF, the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi and the UAE Wrestling Federation. RAF has previously staged international events in Tbilisi and Moscow. Co-founder and CEO Chad Bronstein told Khaleej Times there is "no better place for this next chapter than Abu Dhabi."
The date lands three weeks after UFC 333 at the same arena. Chimaev also has his own Abu Dhabi history: he beat Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 in 2023 and submitted Robert Whittaker in the first round at UFC 308 in 2024.
Real American Freestyle Abu DhabiSat 14 Nov · Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi See ticketsSource: Arab News, Khaleej Times, CBS Sports: UFC 308, AsianMMA: UFC 294
