In a surprising turn of events, Olympic gold medalist Khabib Nurmagomedov has urged the UFC to secure a contract with a rival wrestling promotion. Recently, a prominent athlete who has received Nurmagomedov's endorsement has made headlines by signing with the rapidly ascending wrestling organization, Real American Freestyle (RAF).
Over recent years, it has become increasingly common for wrestlers to make the leap into mixed martial arts (MMA) in pursuit of greater financial opportunities and success. However, the new wrestling promotion, RAF, which debuted last year, has captured the spotlight within the combat sports community by featuring current UFC talents like Bo Nickal and Colby Covington, among others.
This Thursday marked an exciting announcement from RAF, revealing the significant signing of a two-time Olympic gold medalist, a move that is bound to stir discussions in the sports world.
But here's where it gets controversial... In the realm of unusual combat sports, a question arises: which one stands out as the most bizarre? Is it carjitsu, chess boxing, pillow fighting, or perhaps skyscraper boxing that you find the strangest? 🤔
We encourage you to dive into this debate! Share your thoughts and insights—just hit the comment button located at the bottom left to join the conversation.
RAF has officially signed Abdulrashid Sadulaev, who first claimed Olympic gold in 2016 and successfully defended his title again in 2022. At just 29 years old, he boasts victories over notable opponents like Kyle Snyder and is widely celebrated as one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers ever.
Interestingly, just last year, Khabib Nurmagomedov, the former UFC lightweight champion, called on Dana White, UFC's president, to recruit Sadulaev, suggesting an immediate matchup with MMA superstar Jon Jones. This exciting prospect seemed imminent during a FaceTime conversation with White; however, Sadulaev's entry into the MMA arena will now be temporarily delayed as he commits to RAF.
In their press release, RAF stated, "Today, we are thrilled to announce that Abdulrashid Sadulaev, one of the sport’s most decorated wrestlers, has entered into an exclusive agreement to compete professionally with RAF. He will participate solely in RAF events and will not engage in professional wrestling for any other league or organization."
At present, it remains uncertain when Sadulaev will make his debut in this promotion, especially as their next event is scheduled for February 28, featuring a main event match between Henry Cejudo and Urijah Faber.
Who could be a potential opponent for Sadulaev’s debut in RAF? Known as 'The Russian Tank,' he is one of only two wrestlers in history to earn World Championships across three different weight classes and currently holds an impressive freestyle record of 160-6. Fans have already begun speculating about a possible rematch between him and Kyle Snyder following the announcement of his signing.
