Khamzat Chimaev meets Colby Covington as Real American Freestyle comes to Abu Dhabi

Real American Freestyle, the wrestling league that puts mixed martial arts stars on the mat under freestyle wrestling rules, holds its first event in the Middle East at Etihad Arena on Yas Island on Saturday 14 November.

Khamzat Chimaev, the Chechen-born fighter who lives and trains in the UAE and has a large following here, headlines the night. The event's own poster bills him against the American Colby Covington for the league's cruiserweight crossover title, and Yas Island's package page names the same pairing as the main event. Around them, the arena lists a card that mixes fighters and Olympic wrestlers: Arman Tsarukyan, Henry Cejudo, Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder and Abdulrashid Sadulaev. Burroughs, Snyder and Sadulaev are all Olympic wrestling champions, which gives the evening a weight that goes beyond a novelty bill.

Abu Dhabi has become a regular home for combat sports, with UFC events on Yas Island every year and a busy local wrestling and grappling scene. This is the first time the league has taken its format outside the United States.

Tickets are on sale on the Etihad Arena website. Prices including VAT run in six categories: Dh95 for category 6, Dh150 for category 5, Dh250 for category 4, Dh950 for category 3, Dh1,250 for category 2 and Dh2,250 for category 1, with aisle seats in each category costing Dh50 more. Yas Island also sells packages that combine a hotel night with tickets, bookable until 9 November.

There is no age limit; children aged two and under can sit on a parent's lap without a ticket, and under-16s must come with an adult aged 21 or over. Professional cameras are not allowed, bags must be smaller than 30 by 30 by 15cm, there is no cloakroom and no re-entry, and the arena takes contactless payments only. The start time has not been announced yet, so check the ticket page closer to the date.