Umar Nurmagomedov to Face Urijah Faber in RAF Abu Dhabi Debut

Umar Nurmagomedov is set to make a transition to the wrestling mats. Promotional officials confirmed to MMA Fighting that the former UFC bantamweight contender has officially signed with Real American Freestyle (RAF) and is scheduled to make his debut for the promotion on November 14. The event, titled RAF Abu Dhabi, will be hosted at the Etihad Arena. For his inaugural appearance in the organization, Nurmagomedov is slated to face UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber in a high-profile grappling matchup. This move marks a notable shift for Nurmagomedov, who has recently competed at the top of the UFC bantamweight division. The inclusion of Faber, a pioneer in the sport who has remained active in grappling competition since his retirement from professional mixed martial arts, provides a marquee headliner for the Abu Dhabi card. While Nurmagomedov remains a prominent name in the MMA world, this commitment to a Real American Freestyle event highlights the increasing crossover between elite MMA talent and professional grappling promotions.

Source: MMA Fighting.