RAF Adds Tsarukyan vs. Gracie, Zabit vs. Chikadze to Abu Dhabi Card
Real American Freestyle has added five matchups to its Nov. 14 Abu Dhabi event, including crossover bouts featuring Arman Tsarukyan and Zabit Magomedsharipov.
· VILLAND PICK editorial
Real American Freestyle has announced five additional bouts for its inaugural Abu Dhabi event, set to take place on Nov. 14 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Sherdog reported. The event marks the start of a five-year partnership between RAF, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and the UAE Wrestling Federation.
Highlighting the newly announced fights is a catchweight crossover clash under freestyle wrestling rules between UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan (24-3) and Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Neiman Gracie (13-6). Tsarukyan has competed regularly on the RAF circuit alongside his active MMA career, while Gracie makes his promotional appearance following stints in Bellator and the Professional Fighters League. In another crossover contest, former UFC featherweight Zabit Magomedsharipov will meet Giga Chikadze in a welterweight matchup.
The card also features elite wrestling matchups and two championship defenses. Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs is scheduled to face Belarusian wrestler Azamat Nurykau at middleweight, renewing a matchup from the 2019 world championships, where Burroughs claimed an 11-10 decision. Additionally, Kyle Dake will defend his RAF cruiserweight title against Alp Arslan Begenjov, while Kennedy Blades puts her women’s middleweight championship on the line against Mir.
RAF Abu Dhabi will be headlined by a cruiserweight crossover title bout between Khamzat Chimaev and Colby Covington.
Sources
This article was written by VILLAND PICK based on the reports listed above. Original articles are not reproduced.