Khamzat Chimaev to headline RAF tournament in Abu Dhabi — The National
Former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev will headline the debut event of the Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling organization in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The competition will take place on November 14 at Etihad Arena.
Five-year agreement
RAF has announced a five-year partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism and the UAE Wrestling Federation. As The National reports, RAF Abu Dhabi will be the league's third international event in its first year, following events in Tbilisi, Georgia, and Moscow, Russia. The September event in Moscow was held before a sold-out crowd.
RAF CEO and co-founder Chad Bronstein said that the organization aims to enter the world's leading sports markets. According to him, the five-year agreement is intended to make RAF Abu Dhabi a landmark event for athletes and spectators in the region.
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Card participants
UAE Wrestling Federation Secretary General Sheikh Hamdan bin Saeed bin Tahnoon called the partnership an important step for the development of wrestling in the country. He noted that hosting international competitions and the participation of world-class athletes should strengthen the UAE's position in global wrestling and support the next generation of athletes.
Chimaev is a naturalized citizen of the UAE and represents the country internationally. In addition to the main bout featuring him, the RAF Abu Dhabi program is expected to include Olympic and world champions, NCAA representatives, and athletes competing in wrestling and MMA. Organizers promised to announce the name of Chimaev's opponent later.
