Combat sports fans are bracing for a historic night as the inaugural Real American Freestyle (RAF) Abu Dhabi arrives at the iconic Etihad Arena, Yas Island, on Saturday, November 14. This landmark event marks the beginning of a strategic five-year partnership between Real American Freestyle, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and the UAE Wrestling Federation. **Business Promotion24** is proud to bring you the latest updates on this star-studded card that bridges the world of elite wrestling and mixed martial arts.
### Tsarukyan vs. Gracie: A Crossover Superfight
The main attraction features a heated Catchweight Crossover matchup between UFC’s No. 1-ranked lightweight contender **Arman Tsarukyan** and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist **Neiman Gracie**. Tsarukyan enters the UAE capital with a formidable 11-2 UFC record and a dominant 7-1 run in RAF, including five wins by technical fall. He will be tested under freestyle wrestling rules by Gracie, a three-time World BJJ bronze medallist with a 13-6 professional MMA record. This clash of grappling styles is set to be a technical masterclass.
### Championship Stakes: Dake and Blades Defend Titles
The RAF Abu Dhabi card is bolstered by two massive title defenses. American wrestling icon **Kyle Dake** will defend his Cruiserweight Championship against Turkmenistan’s rising star Alp Arslan Begenjov. Dake, a four-time world champion and two-time Olympic bronze medallist, remains unbeaten in six RAF appearances. His challenger, Begenjov, is a U20 world champion and a 2026 senior Asian bronze medallist, looking to pull off a massive upset.
In the women’s division, reigning Middleweight champion **Kennedy Blades** puts her title on the line against fellow American **Bella Mir**. Blades has been untouchable in RAF, recording six technical falls without surrendering a single point. Mir, an NCAA Champion and U23 World Team member with a 4-1 MMA record, aims to be the first to solve the “Blades puzzle.”
### High-Stakes Crossover and Legendary Rivalries
MMA fans will be thrilled to see the return of **Zabit Magomedsharipov**, who takes on Georgia’s **Giga Chikadze** in a Welterweight Crossover bout. Zabit, known for his perfect 6-0 UFC run and 14-fight winning streak, faces an elite striker in Chikadze, a former world kickboxing and karate champion.
Furthermore, the legendary **Jordan Burroughs** will renew his rivalry with Belarusian **Azamat Nurykau** at Middleweight. Their previous encounter at the 2019 World Championships was a narrow 11–10 victory for Burroughs. Now, seven years later, the Olympic gold medallist and six-time world champion meets the European bronze medallist once again on the global RAF stage.
### A Global Platform for Professional Wrestling
Following successful international events in Tbilisi and Moscow, RAF Abu Dhabi solidifies the promotion’s position as a premier global professional wrestling platform. This event is not just a night of fights; it is the start of a long-term commitment to growing combat sports in the Middle East.
For more exclusive sports news and event coverage, stay tuned to **Business Promotion24**. Don’t miss the action this Saturday, November 14, at Etihad Arena!
