MMA – Bahrain's mixed martial arts (MMA) stars Hamza Kooheji and Murtaza Talha are set to spearhead a quartet of Arab athletes who will be making their Real American Freestyle (RAF) debuts when the professional wrestling promotion’s first event in the Middle East takes place at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, on November 14 in Abu Dhabi, the UAE.
Kooheji and Talha are to be joined by Jordan’s Ali Al Qaisi and Egypt’s Osama Elsaidy in the event.
RAF is the first unscripted professional freestyle wrestling league, bringing Olympic champions, world medallists, and top MMA crossover athletes together in a modern fight-night format built for today’s combat sports audience.
The inaugural RAF Abu Dhabi will be headlined by Khamzat Chimaev and Colby Covington for the cruiserweight crossover championship, while UFC number one -ranked lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan will face three-time world Brazilian jiu-jitsu bronze-medallist Neiman Gracie in a catchweight crossover match-up.
“RAF is about creating a stage where athletes can compete, tell their stories, and showcase their talent to a global audience,” said RAF co-founder and CEO Chad Bronstein.
“Bringing RAF to Abu Dhabi gives us an opportunity to put Arab talent on that stage and we’re excited to have Hamza, Ali, and Osama competing as part of our first event in the region.”
For Kooheji and Al Qaisi, RAF Abu Dhabi will see the two go head-to-head in a lightweight contest under freestyle wrestling rules.
“Al Qaisi made history in 2020 when he became the first Jordanian fighter to compete in UFC, while his combat sports background also includes kung-fu, Chinese sanda, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.”
Kooheji believes their matchup will attract plenty of attention across the region.
“Me and Ali are the biggest names in martial arts in the region,” he said. “Both of us are grapplers, so facing him will bring a lot of eyes to the match – especially under wrestling rules.
“This match will decide who has the best grappling in the Arab world in the weight class, so it’s exciting.”
The Bahraini has also been following RAF’s development and is looking forward to competing in its first event in the region.
“I’ve been watching RAF for some time,” he added.
“It has grown fast in a short period of time, and I’m very interested in this opportunity to be competing in the first event in the region.”
Elsewhere on the card, Elsaidy will take on Talha in a light heavyweight contest.
RAF Abu Dhabi marks the start of a five-year partnership between RAF, the Department of Culture and Tourism-Abu Dhabi, and the UAE Wrestling Federation.
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