Abdulrashid Sadulaev, the two-time Olympic gold medalist once publicly endorsed for a UFC signing by Khabib Nurmagomedov, has instead joined the rapidly growing wrestling promotion Real American Freestyle (RAF).
Sadulaev, widely regarded as one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers of all time, won Olympic gold in 2016 and again in 2022, and owns victories over elite opponents such as Kyle Snyder. Last year, Nurmagomedov urged Dana White to sign the Russian star, even suggesting a blockbuster matchup with Jon Jones. Despite that high-profile endorsement, any immediate move into MMA is now off the table.
RAF confirmed Sadulaev’s signing on Thursday, announcing that he has agreed to an exclusive deal to compete only under their banner and will not wrestle professionally for any other organization. The promotion has quickly gained attention by attracting well-known UFC names, including Bo Nickal and Colby Covington, while positioning itself as a serious alternative pathway for elite wrestlers.
It remains unclear when Sadulaev will make his RAF debut. The promotion’s next event is scheduled for February 28 and will be headlined by Henry Cejudo versus Urijah Faber. Fans have already begun calling for a high-profile rematch between Sadulaev and Snyder, which would mark one of the biggest bouts in the promotion’s short history.
