Nurmagomedov Joins RAF Abu Dhabi After UFC Shanghai Loss

Umar Nurmagomedov will make his Real American Freestyle debut Nov. 14 in Abu Dhabi, just two months after his knockout loss to Song Yadong at UFC Shanghai.

The lightweight contender joins retired bantamweight Urijah Faber on the RAF Abu Dhabi card at Etihad Arena, as MMA Mania first reported. Faber, who last fought in the UFC in late 2019, remains winless in RAF competition following back-to-back defeats to Henry Cejudo and Arman Tsarukyan.

Chimaev-Covington Headlines Five-Year Abu Dhabi Partnership

The event marks the launch of a five-year partnership between Real American Freestyle, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and the UAE Wrestling Federation. Former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev battles ex-welterweight title challenger Colby Covington for the RAF Cruiserweight Crossover belt in the main event, with reigning RAF Light Heavyweight Champion Kyle Snyder facing undefeated Shamil Erdogan elsewhere on the card.

RAF CEO and co-founder Chad Bronstein called Abu Dhabi one of the premier destinations for combat sports. "This five-year partnership gives us the opportunity to make RAF Abu Dhabi a signature event and build something meaningful for athletes, fans and the region for years to come," he said.

The event airs on FOX Nation, with additional matchups to be announced in the coming weeks.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Umar Nurmagomedov, Urijah Faber added to RAF Abu Dhabi lineup on Nov. 14