With a packed Etihad Arena, a star-studded line-up and a series of memorable performances, RAF's first event in the Middle East made a major statement about its ambitions in the region.RAF celebrates successful Abu Dhabi debutDubai: Flying the UAE flag, Khamzat Chimaev needed less than two minutes to overcome Chris Weidman as Real American Freestyle (RAF) made its Middle East debut with a sold-out spectacular at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena.
The inaugural event featured a 13-bout programme bringing together some of the biggest names in wrestling and mixed martial arts, including Chimaev, Arman Tsarukyan, Merab Dvalishvili and Julianna Peña.
There was also a late change to the line-up, with 21-year-old amateur wrestler Saba Lazishvili stepping in on Friday night to replace Umar Nurmagomedov and make his debut.
Chimaev and Tsarukyan deliver headline performances
With both Chimaev and Weidman having previously been UFC middleweight champions, their main-event meeting promised a high standard of wrestling. However, it was the UAE-based Chimaev who took control from the outset, overpowering his American opponent despite being the smaller of the two competitors.
Chimaev secured victory by technical fall to claim the Light Heavyweight Crossover Championship belt before sending a message to anyone willing to challenge him.
“Anyone who wants me — fight, grapple, wrestle — I’m here and I’m always ready.”
