Real American Freestyle is coming to Abu Dhabi for the first time on Saturday, 14 November 2026, at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.
The event will mark RAF’s first show in the Middle East and the beginning of a five-year partnership involving Real American Freestyle, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the UAE Wrestling Federation.
Several major wrestling and combat-sports names are already confirmed. The full match card, opponents, event time, ticket prices and broadcast information had not yet been announced when this guide was last verified.
Last verified: 28 September 2026. We will update this page when the organisers announce the matchups, tickets, schedule and viewing information.
RAF Abu Dhabi 2026 at a glance
- Event: Real American Freestyle Abu Dhabi
- Date: Saturday, 14 November 2026
- Venue: Etihad Arena, Yas Bay, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
- Headline athlete: Khamzat Chimaev
- Event time: To be announced
- Ticket prices: To be announced
- Broadcast: To be announced
- Official status: Priority registration is available through Experience Abu Dhabi
The date and venue appear on both the official RAF calendar and the official Experience Abu Dhabi event page.
Which athletes are confirmed for RAF Abu Dhabi?
The official announcement from Emirates News Agency confirms the following athletes:
- Khamzat Chimaev, scheduled to headline;
- Arman Tsarukyan;
- Henry Cejudo;
- Jordan Burroughs;
- Kyle Snyder;
- Abdulrashid Sadulaev.
Khamzat Chimaev’s opponent has not yet been announced. The matchups involving the other confirmed athletes also remain unconfirmed. The six names above are officially announced participants, but no specific Abu Dhabi matchup should be presented as confirmed until RAF or the UAE organisers publish it.
What is Real American Freestyle?
Real American Freestyle, commonly shortened to RAF, is a professional competition built around freestyle wrestling.
It brings together elite wrestlers and athletes known across wrestling and MMA, but RAF Abu Dhabi is not a UFC event and not an MMA fight card. Fans should expect competitive wrestling rather than the combined striking and grappling rules used in MMA.
RAF launched in the United States in 2025 and has since expanded internationally. Abu Dhabi will become its first Middle Eastern destination.
Is RAF the same as WWE?
No. Despite both using the word wrestling, they are different formats.
RAF presents unscripted competitive freestyle wrestling, with athletes competing for real sporting results. WWE is sports entertainment built around scripted storylines and performances.
Is RAF Abu Dhabi the same event as RAF14?
No. RAF’s official calendar lists RAF14 in Las Vegas on 23 October 2026. RAF Abu Dhabi is a separate event scheduled for 14 November 2026.
The number 14 in the Abu Dhabi date may create confusion, but the UAE event is presented by the organisers as RAF Abu Dhabi, not RAF14.
When will RAF Abu Dhabi tickets go on sale?
As of 28 September 2026, the organisers had not published ticket prices or a confirmed public-sale date.
The official Experience Abu Dhabi page currently allows fans to register for priority access and event updates. This should provide notice when ticket sales and schedules are released.
Only purchase tickets through RAF, Experience Abu Dhabi, Etihad Arena or another ticket seller officially named by the organisers. Avoid unverified resale listings while official sales information is pending.
How to visit Etihad Arena for RAF Abu Dhabi
Etihad Arena is on the Yas Bay waterfront on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
The venue states that parking is complimentary at designated parking facilities on officially scheduled event days unless communicated otherwise. Visitors should review the final ticket and event instructions before travelling.
Etihad Arena’s general venue guidance currently includes:
- bags larger than 30 × 30 × 15 cm are not permitted;
- outside food and drinks are prohibited;
- professional cameras and recording equipment are prohibited;
- selfie sticks, tripods, laptops, tablets and power banks are listed as prohibited items;
- visitors may be subject to security and bag checks.
Guests under 16 must generally be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or over. Final RAF ticket conditions may contain event-specific rules, so families should verify the published policy before booking.
Fans travelling from Dubai should allow additional time for road traffic, parking and security checks. Arrival time cannot yet be recommended because the event schedule and door-opening time remain unannounced.
Why RAF Abu Dhabi matters for UAE combat-sports fans
The event adds professional freestyle wrestling to an already active UAE combat-sports calendar. It also gives fans who know athletes such as Khamzat Chimaev, Arman Tsarukyan and Henry Cejudo through MMA the opportunity to see them compete in a different format.
The five-year agreement means the November event is intended to begin a longer-term RAF presence in Abu Dhabi rather than serve as a single one-off appearance.
See our UAE combat sports events calendar for other confirmed events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
What is still waiting for confirmation?
- the full match card;
- each confirmed athlete’s opponent;
- the event start time and door-opening time;
- ticket categories and prices;
- event-week or fan activities;
- UAE and international broadcast information.
Fight cards and arrangements can change. We will only update this guide using information published by RAF, DCT Abu Dhabi, the UAE Wrestling Federation, Etihad Arena or another authorised event partner.
Frequently asked questions
When is RAF Abu Dhabi 2026?
RAF Abu Dhabi is scheduled for Saturday, 14 November 2026.
Where will RAF Abu Dhabi take place?
The event will be held at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Who is headlining RAF Abu Dhabi?
Khamzat Chimaev has been announced as the headline athlete. His opponent is still to be confirmed.
Is Henry Cejudo confirmed for Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Henry Cejudo is among the athletes named in the official announcement, although his matchup has not yet been revealed.
Is RAF Abu Dhabi an MMA event?
No. RAF is a professional freestyle wrestling competition. Some athletes are well known in MMA, but this is not a UFC or MMA card.
Are tickets available yet?
The official event page currently offers priority registration. Public ticket prices and full sale information have not yet been published.
Prepare for RAF Abu Dhabi
For fight and training equipment available in the UAE, visit My Fight House in Dubai or see our Abu Dhabi fight gear and delivery guide.