Turkmen freestyle wrestler Alp Arslan Begenjov has arrived in Abu Dhabi to compete in the Real American Freestyle (RAF) tournament. This is indicated by posts the athlete shared on his social media account.

Begenjov posted photos from the UAE capital, including images from an official photoshoot in tournament gear against the backdrop of the Turkmenistan flag, as well as a video of himself signing a competition poster.

RAF Abu Dhabi will take place on November 14 at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island. This marks the league’s first-ever event in the Middle East. The organizers have entered into a five-year agreement with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the UAE Wrestling Federation. The show begins at 21:00 Ashgabat time.

For 20-year-old Begenjov, this marks his RAF debut. He will face American Kyle Dake, the reigning league champion in the cruiserweight division (86 kg). The 35-year-old Dake is a four-time world champion and a two-time Olympic bronze medalist. He remains undefeated in the RAF, boasting six victories in his six league bouts. The encounter with Begenjov will serve as another title defense for him.

Begenjov is considered one of the most promising Turkmen wrestlers of the new Olympic cycle. In September 2024, he became the first-ever junior (U20) world champion in freestyle wrestling from Turkmenistan, winning the tournament in Pontevedra in the under-79 kg category. That same year, he won gold at the Asian Junior Championships. In 2026, the athlete moved up to the under-86 kg weight class and took bronze at the World Junior Championships in Bratislava.

The main event of the evening will feature Khamzat Chimaev, who is set to face Chris Weidman for the RAF Light Heavyweight Crossover championship title. Weidman has stepped in to replace American fighter Colby Covington, who withdrew from the event due to an injury.

The program also features matchups between Arman Tsarukyan and Neiman Gracie, Umar Nurmagomedov and Urijah Faber, and Kyle Snyder and Shamil Erdogan. Abdulrashid Sadulaev and Jordan Burroughs are also set to compete in the tournament.