Photo: Real American Freestyle
Real American Freestyle's first trip to the Middle East is in the books. RAF Abu Dhabi at Etihad Arena saw four title fights, three pins, and a lot of champions holding on to their belts.
Chimaev Dominates the Main Event
The main event changed late, with Chris Weidman stepping in against Khamzat Chimaev instead of Colby Covington. Chimaev made it look easy, teching Weidman 10-0. In the co-main, Arman Tsarukyan did the same to Neiman Gracie, 10-0.
The Champs Hold Serve
Every RAF champion who defended a title in Abu Dhabi left with the belt.
- Kyle Snyder teched Shamil Erdogan 11-0 to keep the light heavyweight title.
- Kyle Dake teched Alp Arslan Begenjov 10-0 to keep the cruiserweight title.
- Kennedy Blades opened the card by teching Bella Mir 10-0 to keep the women's middleweight title.
Snyder and Dake, both of the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, did it just a couple of weeks after winning World titles in Astana, and neither gave up a point.
Burroughs Bounces Back
After his loss to Michael Caliendo at RAF 14, Jordan Burroughs was back in the win column with a 9-0 shutout of Azamat Nurykau at middleweight.
Three Pins and a Card Change
The crossover bouts delivered three falls. Merab Dvalishvili, added to the card the week of the event, pinned Marlon Moraes in 1:30. Diana Avsaragova pinned Julianna Peña in 1:36, and Zabit Magomedsharipov was the fastest of the night, pinning Giga Chikadze in 1:06.
Urijah Faber also had a new opponent: Saba Lazishvili replaced Umar Nurmagomedov and beat Faber 12-7.
Valencia, Sadulaev and Talha
Zahid Valencia beat Khidir Saipudinov 4-2 at cruiserweight, Abdulrashid Sadulaev beat Dauren Kurugliev 8-5, and Murtaza Talha beat Osama Elsaidy 10-4.
Full Results
| Bout | Winner | Result | Loser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Middleweight Title | Kennedy Blades | TF 10-0 | Bella Mir |
| Cruiserweight | Zahid Valencia | Dec 4-2 | Khidir Saipudinov |
| Catchweight Crossover | Merab Dvalishvili | Fall 1:30 | Marlon Moraes |
| Women's Middleweight Crossover | Diana Avsaragova | Fall 1:36 | Julianna Peña |
| Light Heavyweight Crossover | Murtaza Talha | Dec 10-4 | Osama Elsaidy |
| Light Heavyweight Title | Kyle Snyder | TF 11-0 | Shamil Erdogan |
| Middleweight | Jordan Burroughs | Dec 9-0 | Azamat Nurykau |
| Catchweight Crossover | Saba Lazishvili | Dec 12-7 | Urijah Faber |
| Cruiserweight Title | Kyle Dake | TF 10-0 | Alp Arslan Begenjov |
| Light Heavyweight | Abdulrashid Sadulaev | Dec 8-5 | Dauren Kurugliev |
| Catchweight Crossover | Zabit Magomedsharipov | Fall 1:06 | Giga Chikadze |
| Co-Main Event | Arman Tsarukyan | TF 10-0 | Neiman Gracie |
| Main Event: Cruiserweight Crossover Title | Khamzat Chimaev | TF 10-0 | Chris Weidman |
Results are listed in the order they were wrestled. Follow along on our RAF Abu Dhabi page.
Next Up: RAF 15 in Chicago
RAF returns on Saturday, Nov. 28 at NOW Arena in Chicago, live on FOX Nation. Michael Caliendo and Cesar Alvan meet for the vacant welterweight title, after David Carr gave up the belt due to inactivity.