Khamzat Chimaev needed just 94 seconds to defeat former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in the main event of RAF Moscow, which brought some of the biggest names in wrestling and combat sports together in the Russian capital on 5 September.
The tournament marked the first event jointly staged by Real American Freestyle (RAF) and the International Boxing Association (IBA) following the partnership agreement signed by IBA President Umar Kremlev, RAF Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Chad Bronstein, and RAF Chief Operating Officer and co-founder Izzy Martinez.
Chimaev, competing at a 195lb catchweight, defended an early takedown attempt from Woodley before reversing the position and pinning him at 1:34 of the opening period.
Two-time Olympic champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev edged past Zac Braunagel 8-6, and later described his business with RAF as “unfinished”, setting his sights on a rematch with Kyle Snyder. Snyder had earlier defended his title with an 11-5 win over Akhmed Tazhudinov.
Kyle Dake held off Kadik 7-6 to retain his title, while Jordan Burroughs and Kennedy Blades both won by 10-0 technical fall, against Magomed Kurbanaliev and Vusala Parfianovich respectively. Bo Nickal beat Shirvani Muradov 11-8, and Jason Nolf edged Ismail Khaniev on criteria after a 5-5 draw.
Sharabutdin “Shara Bullet” Magomedov beat Neiman Gracie 11-3, Yusuf Raisov defeated Marif Piraev by technical fall (12-2), and Pouya Rahmani saw off Anatoly Malykhin 10-3. Zahid Valencia overcame Ibragim Kadiev 9-5 despite an ankle problem, while Vito Arujau opened the card with a 13-2 technical fall win over Olympic champion Soslan Ramonov.
IBA President Umar Kremlev praised both the level of competition and the atmosphere in Moscow: “RAF Moscow was absolutely electric, with the arena packed and the crowd roaring from start to finish. As always, boxing and wrestling are at the forefront of sport, and every athlete went out there determined to win. Congratulations to all the guys on their well-deserved victories – Khamzat Chimaev, Abdulrashid Sadulaev and Shara Bullet were outstanding, and they went out there and got the job done in style,” Kremlev said.
RAF Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Chad Bronstein described the first jointly staged RAF and IBA tournament as a major success: “It was an incredible event and a huge success. Izzy, Eric, our entire team and I are extremely grateful for our partnership with IBA. We had to switch arenas in just one day, and people don’t realise how much work went into making that happen – but the outcome was incredible, some of the best wrestling you could ever witness. I’m really grateful to IBA for hosting us here. Moscow is a great city, and we’re coming back,” Bronstein said.
The Moscow tournament opened the sporting chapter of the new partnership between IBA and RAF, which is aimed at developing joint projects and expanding the international calendar into new markets.
RAF Moscow results
Khamzat Chimaev def. Tyron Woodley — pin, 1:34
Abdulrashid Sadulaev def. Zac Braunagel — 8-6
Zahid Valencia def. Ibragim Kadiev — 9-5
Sharabutdin Magomedov def. Neiman Gracie — 11-3
Kyle Snyder def. Akhmed Tazhudinov — 11-5
Kyle Dake def. Kadik — 7-6
Jordan Burroughs def. Magomed Kurbanaliev — 10-0, technical fall
Kennedy Blades def. Vusala Parfianovich — 10-0, technical fall
Bo Nickal def. Shirvani Muradov — 11-8
Jason Nolf def. Ismail Khaniev — 5-5, criteria
Pouya Rahmani def. Anatoly Malykhin — 10-3
Yusuf Raisov def. Marif Piraev — 12-2, technical fall
Vito Arujau def. Soslan Ramonov — 13-2, technical fall
