Umar Nurmagomedov is heading to the wrestling mats.
Promotional officials confirmed to MMA Fighting that the one-time UFC challenger has signed with Real American Freestyle and makes his promotional debut at RAF Abu Dhabi. Nurmagomedov faces Urijah Faber on the card, which takes place Nov. 14 at Etihad Arena.
Nurmagomedov is switching things up following a stunning knockout loss to Song Yadong in the main event of UFC Shanghai in August. Prior to that, the 30-year-old picked up consecutive decision wins against Mario Bautista and Deiveson Figueiredo to bounce back from a decision loss to then-champ Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311 in January 2025.
Faber makes his third promotional appearance and is looking for his first RAF victory. “The California Kid” suffered tech fall losses to Henry Cejudo in the main event of RAF 6 in February, and to Arman Tsarukyan two months later at RAF 8.
RAF Abu Dhabi is headlined by a cruiserweight crossover title match as Colby Covington defends against former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev.
