Tsarukyan, Zabit and Burroughs added to RAF Abu Dhabi card headlined by Chimaev vs. Covington

Real American Freestyle has added five matchups to its inaugural Abu Dhabi card, scheduled for Nov. 14 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, with UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan, former featherweight Zabit Magomedsharipov, and Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs all set to compete under freestyle wrestling rules.

Tsarukyan (24-3), currently among the top contenders in the UFC’s lightweight division, will face Neiman Gracie (13-6) in a catchweight crossover bout. Gracie, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist who previously competed in Bellator and the Professional Fighters League, steps into the freestyle format against one of MMA’s most active crossover participants.

Zabit Magomedsharipov, the former UFC featherweight known for his unorthodox striking and grappling, will take on Giga Chikadze in a welterweight crossover matchup — a contest that reunites two fighters with deep combat sports backgrounds in a new competitive setting.

Two RAF titles will also be on the line. Kyle Dake defends his cruiserweight belt against Alp Arslan Begenjov, while Kennedy Blades puts her women’s middleweight title up against Bella Mir.

Burroughs, the Olympic gold medalist and multiple-time world champion, meets Belarusian wrestler Azamat Nurykau at middleweight. The two have history: Burroughs edged Nurykau 11-10 at the 2019 world championships.

The event is headlined by Khamzat Chimaev vs. Colby Covington for the promotion’s cruiserweight crossover title. RAF Abu Dhabi also marks the beginning of a five-year partnership between the promotion, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and the UAE Wrestling Federation.