Neiman Gracie to Wrestle Arman Tsarukyan at RAF Abu Dhabi

Neiman Gracie has been booked for a freestyle wrestling match. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist, who previously competed in Bellator and the PFL, will face UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan in a catchweight crossover bout under freestyle wrestling rules at Real American Freestyle's first event in Abu Dhabi.

The show takes place on November 14 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. Tsarukyan, who holds a 24-3 MMA record, is one of the top contenders in the UFC lightweight division and has become a regular on the RAF circuit while staying active in the cage. Gracie, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist, brings a 13-6 MMA record into the matchup.

Five new matchups

The Tsarukyan-Gracie pairing was one of five bouts added to the card. Kyle Dake will defend his RAF cruiserweight title against Alp Arslan Begenjov, and Kennedy Blades puts her women's middleweight title on the line against Bella Mir. Former UFC featherweight Zabit Magomedsharipov meets Giga Chikadze in a welterweight crossover matchup, while Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs faces Belarusian wrestler Azamat Nurykau at middleweight. Burroughs and Nurykau have history: they met at the 2019 world championships, where Burroughs won 11-10.

Covington and Chimaev on top

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

For Gracie, the booking means competing under freestyle wrestling rules rather than jiu-jitsu rules, against a UFC lightweight contender, at RAF's first event in Abu Dhabi.