A quartet of Arab athletes is set to showcase their skills at the inaugural Real American Freestyle (RAF) event in the Middle East. The tournament, which features an unscripted professional freestyle wrestling format, will be held on November 14 at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island. The card aims to merge Olympic champions, world-class medalists, and elite MMA crossover athletes in a high-stakes combat environment.
Representing the region, Bahrain’s Hamza Kooheji and Murtaza Talha, Jordan’s Ali AlQaisi, and Egypt’s Osama Elsaidy are officially confirmed for the event. The evening is headlined by a championship bout between Khamzat Chimaev and Colby Covington for the Cruiserweight Crossover title, while lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan squares off against three-time World BJJ bronze medalist Neiman Gracie in a Catchweight Crossover match. Kooheji believes their matchup will attract plenty of attention across the region: “Me and Ali AlQaisi are the biggest names in martial arts in the region.
Chad Bronstein, co-founder and CEO of RAF, noted that the event serves as a platform for athletes to tell their stories and display their capabilities globally. He emphasized the importance of bringing local Arab talent onto a major stage, expressing excitement about the participation of Kooheji, AlQaisi, and Elsaidy in the promotion’s regional debut.
A highlight of the card features a Lightweight showdown between AlQaisi and Kooheji. AlQaisi, who made history in 2020 as the first Jordanian fighter to reach the UFC, draws from a diverse background in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, kung-fu, and Chinese sanda. Reflecting on the match, Kooheji stated that because both men are established grapplers, the contest will draw significant regional attention. He noted that the bout will effectively determine the top grappler in the Arab world within their weight class. So facing him will bring a lot of eyes to the match – especially under wrestling rules, both of us are grapplers.
Kooheji further shared his enthusiasm for the promotion’s growth, stating, “I’ve been watching RAF for some time. 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.”
In a separate Light Heavyweight contest, Egypt’s Osama Elsaidy will face Murtaza Talha. Elsaidy expressed admiration for the promotion’s distinct approach to professional wrestling. “I was drawn to the fresh approach RAF brings to professional wrestling in Abu Dhabi,” he said, describing the event as a blend of strength, skill, and spectacle. He added that representing his country on such a prestigious stage is a major professional honor. For me, any chance to represent my name and my country in front of a new audience, at such a high organizational standard, is an opportunity I won’t let pass.”.
Drawing from his nation’s long history in the sport, Elsaidy remarked that his heritage places a deep sense of responsibility on him to perform. “That heritage taught me discipline, patience, and respect for the fundamentals. I try to preserve it and present it with a modern spirit in every bout,” he explained. Looking toward the upcoming fight, Elsaidy described the experience as a chance to compete alongside elite athletes, stating he intends to prove his standing at the sport’s highest level and deliver a memorable performance for the fans. He said, adding he will use the experience to learn and prove he deserves his place at the sport’s top table. “I hope to live up to the trust placed in me and deliv, competing alongside the best will drive him to improve.
