Arman Tsarukyan's opponent for first-ever RAF Abu Dhabi event announced

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan will take on Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Neiman Gracie in a catchweight crossover bout during the inaugural Real American Freestyle (RAF) event in Abu Dhabi on November 14. The match, set to take place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, is one of five new matchups announced for the Middle East's first RAF event.

For Tsarukyan, the bout presents another chance to display his freestyle wrestling abilities, which have been instrumental in his 7-1 record within RAF since his debut in January. Earlier this year, Tsarukyan submitted UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber, Keelon Jimison, and Tony Ferguson, as well as technical-fall victories over Lance Palmer and Kuat Khamitov, with his lone loss coming against Colby Covington.

The event will feature other notable matchups, including American Kyle Dake defending his Cruiserweight Championship against Turkmenistan's Alp Arslan Begenjov, Kennedy Blades defending her Women's Middleweight title against Bella Mir, Russia's Zabit Magomedsharipov facing Georgia's Giga Chikadze, and Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs renewing his rivalry with Belarus' Azamat Nurykau.