Abu Dhabi signs five-year deal to host Real American Freestyle
The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi and the UAE Wrestling Federation have signed a five-year partnership with Real American Freestyle to stage annual professional wrestling events in the emirate.
The agreement begins on 14 November 2026 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. Khamzat Chimaev, the naturalised Emirati combat sports athlete and former UFC middleweight champion, will headline RAF’s first event in the Middle East. His opponent has not yet been announced.
The opening card will also include Arman Tsarukyan, Henry Cejudo, Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder and Abdulrashid Sadulaev. Further matchups, ticket details, event-week activities and broadcast arrangements will be confirmed separately.
RAF is a competitive freestyle wrestling property rather than scripted sports entertainment. Launched in the United States in 2025, it has since expanded internationally through events in Tbilisi and Moscow. Abu Dhabi becomes its third overseas market during its first year of international activity.
The partnership adds another recurring combat-sports property to Abu Dhabi’s events calendar, alongside established relationships across mixed martial arts, boxing and jiu-jitsu. The five-year term also gives the UAE Wrestling Federation a platform to connect international events with the development of wrestling inside the country.
DCT Abu Dhabi said the agreement supports the emirate’s sports-tourism strategy and long-term approach to event partnerships. Financial terms and the number of RAF events to be staged in each year were not disclosed.
