RAF Abu Dhabi
14 November 2026 | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
RAF Abu Dhabi 2026 brings Real American Freestyle wrestling to the Middle East for the first time on 14 November 2026, at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. Headlined by Khamzat Chimaev vs Colby Covington, the event features championship bouts and crossover matchups involving leading wrestling and mixed martial arts athletes.
With a high-profile lineup including Arman Tsarukyan, Umar Nurmagomedov and Kyle Snyder, the event promises an exciting new addition to Abu Dhabi’s combat sports calendar. Explore RAF Abu Dhabi tickets, premium seating and tailored hospitality arrangements with MA Hospitality Group.
RAF Abu Dhabi Fight Card
The RAF Abu Dhabi fight card brings together Olympic-level wrestlers, established freestyle champions and recognised MMA competitors. Several title bouts feature alongside crossover matchups, creating a lineup that combines technical wrestling with familiar names from combat sports.
| Division | Fight |
|---|---|
| Cruiserweight Crossover Championship | Khamzat Chimaev vs Colby Covington Main Event |
| Catchweight Crossover | Arman Tsarukyan vs Neiman Gracie Co-Main Event |
| Welterweight Crossover | Zabit Magomedsharipov vs Giga Chikadze |
| Women’s Middleweight Championship | Kennedy Blades vs Bella Mir Championship Match |
| Light Heavyweight | Abdulrashid Sadulaev vs Dauren Kurugliev |
| Cruiserweight Championship | Kyle Dake vs Alp Arslan Begenjov Championship Match |
| Lightweight Crossover | Umar Nurmagomedov vs Urijah Faber |
| Middleweight | Jordan Burroughs vs Azamat Nurykau |
| Light Heavyweight Championship | Kyle Snyder vs Shamil Erdogan Championship Match |
| Light Heavyweight Crossover | Murtaza Talha vs Osama Elsaidy |
| Cruiserweight | Zahid Valencia vs Khidir Saipudinov |
| Lightweight | Ali AlQaisi vs Hamza Kooheji |
| Women’s Middleweight Crossover | Diana Avsaragova vs Julianna Peña |
The headline matchup sees Chimaev challenge Covington for the RAF Cruiserweight Crossover Championship, while Arman Tsarukyan faces Neiman Gracie in the co-main event.
Other announced matchups include Umar Nurmagomedov vs Urijah Faber, Kyle Snyder vs Shamil Erdogan, Kyle Dake vs Alp Arslan Begenjov and Kennedy Blades vs Bella Mir.
The full card and bout order remain subject to change.
RAF Abu Dhabi VIP Tickets & Hospitality
RAF Abu Dhabi VIP tickets offer guests the opportunity to explore premium seating and exclusive hospitality at Etihad Arena. The venue features luxury suites, hospitality boxes and club-level facilities, although availability and inclusions must be confirmed specifically for this event.
Depending on the selected package, MA Hospitality Group can assist with:
- Premium reserved seating with enhanced arena views
- Private luxury suites for groups and corporate guests
- Hospitality boxes and semi-private seating areas
- Exclusive club lounge access where available
- Premium dining and selected beverage services
- VIP parking and dedicated venue entrances
- Luxury hotel accommodation on Yas Island
- Private chauffeur and airport transfers
- Personalised concierge and travel arrangements
For those seeking a more private experience, Etihad Arena’s luxury suites provide dedicated spaces for hosting guests, while hospitality boxes offer an alternative for smaller groups.
All seating categories, hospitality facilities and associated benefits are subject to event-specific confirmation.
Khamzat Chimaev vs Colby Covington: The Main Event
Khamzat Chimaev vs Colby Covington headlines RAF Abu Dhabi in a Cruiserweight Crossover Championship contest, bringing two prominent figures from mixed martial arts into a freestyle wrestling matchup.
Chimaev has built a reputation for his aggressive grappling and wrestling-based fighting style. Representing the UAE internationally, he returns to compete in front of a home crowd in Abu Dhabi.
Covington brings a strong collegiate wrestling background, having earned NCAA All-American honours before establishing himself in MMA. Their contrasting careers and shared wrestling foundations make this crossover championship contest a central attraction.
Unlike their usual MMA appearances, this meeting takes place under RAF’s freestyle wrestling format rather than UFC rules.
What Makes RAF Wrestling Different?
RAF wrestling, short for Real American Freestyle, is a professional competition built around freestyle wrestling, the discipline featured at the Olympic Games.
Rather than combining striking, submissions and grappling as MMA does, RAF matches focus on wrestling techniques, takedowns and scoring through controlled positions.
The Abu Dhabi event combines elite freestyle specialists with crossover athletes known to UFC audiences. Alongside the main event, the card includes championship contests featuring accomplished international wrestlers and several competitors making appearances outside their usual MMA environment.
RAF’s arrival in the UAE also begins a five-year partnership involving Real American Freestyle, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the UAE Wrestling Federation.
Experience RAF Abu Dhabi with MA Hospitality Group
RAF Abu Dhabi 2026 offers a distinctive opportunity to experience elite freestyle wrestling at one of the UAE’s leading indoor arenas.
Whether attending individually, travelling with friends or organising corporate hospitality, MA Hospitality Group can assist with premium seating enquiries, private suite arrangements where available and personalised travel services.
Guests interested in other major combat sports events can also explore our UFC Hospitality page and UFC 334 Abu Dhabi for additional experiences at Etihad Arena.
Contact MA Hospitality Group to enquire about RAF Abu Dhabi tickets, VIP hospitality and tailored arrangements for 14 November 2026.