Real American Freestyle (RAF), a premier organization for elite wrestling, has finalized a five-year strategic partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the UAE Wrestling Federation. This collaboration aims to solidify Abu Dhabi as a recurring international hub for top-tier professional wrestling, beginning with a showcase event on Saturday, November 14, at the Etihad Arena.
Global combat sports star Khamzat Chimaev, a naturalized UAE citizen who competes representing the nation, is slated to headline this Middle Eastern debut. While his specific opponent remains to be confirmed in the coming weeks, the event will feature a stacked roster including notable international stars such as Arman Tsarukyan, Henry Cejudo, Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder, and Abdulrashid Sadulaev. The card will further include a diverse lineup of Olympic champions, World champions, and prominent NCAA standouts.
Reflecting on the expansion, Chad Bronstein, CEO and Co-Founder of RAF, stated that the organization’s ambition has always been to enter the world’s leading sports markets. He noted that Abu Dhabi serves as an ideal destination due to its infrastructure and vision for global combat sports. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Saeed bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Secretary General of the UAE Wrestling Federation, emphasized that this deal is a vital milestone for the domestic growth of the sport, aimed at inspiring future local athletes and elevating the UAE’s standing in the international wrestling community.
Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, expressed enthusiasm for adding elite wrestling to the emirate’s events calendar. He highlighted the partnership as a key move to attract visitors and provide local fans with high-profile athletic experiences. Prospective attendees are encouraged to visit VisitAbuDhabi.ae to register their interest and secure tickets for the November 14 kickoff.
This initiative represents the third international event for RAF in its first year, following successful stops in Tbilisi, Georgia, and Moscow, Russia. The growth of the league has been rapid since its inception in Cleveland, evolving from a domestic platform into a year-round entity that recently celebrated its one-year anniversary with the RAF12 event. Throughout its first 12 months, the promotion has successfully launched the RAF NEXT GEN development program and solidified a roster composed of the world’s best grappling and crossover combat athletes.
The move into the UAE aligns with the league’s broader strategy of targeting regions with deep-rooted wrestling cultures and robust event infrastructure. By securing a long-term home in Abu Dhabi, RAF plans to develop a signature presence that serves both the regional fan base and the global sports community, ensuring that the sport remains a consistent fixture of the city’s entertainment and athletic landscape.
