RAF wrestling makes Middle East debut in Abu Dhabi on Saturday

Real American Freestyle (RAF), the organisation aiming to turn wrestling into a fully professional sport, will stage its first Middle East event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi this Saturday. The event is part of a five-year partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the UAE Wrestling Federation.

RAF founder Chad Bronstein told The National that the organisation has grown rapidly since its launch 18 months ago, holding events in markets including Georgia and Russia. He described the Abu Dhabi debut as a key step in bringing wrestling to a mainstream global audience.

The organisation features Olympic and world champion wrestlers alongside stars from mixed martial arts. Bronstein said RAF aims to give elite wrestlers the financial security enjoyed by athletes in sports such as football, tennis, basketball or American football. He cited American wrestler Kyle Dake, who was involved from the early days, as an example of someone who can now wrestle full-time and support his family.

"Wrestling has never had anything like this," Bronstein said. "It's what a professional athlete deserves."

To attract new viewers, RAF draws on entertainment production expertise from figures such as Eric Bischoff, previously of WCW fame, and wrestling legend Hulk Hogan. Bronstein said the goal is not to copy any single organisation but to take the best elements of sport and entertainment and apply them to wrestling.

"You can't just create it with a purist mindset," he said. "We just gave it the stage that allowed the best wrestlers to have the opportunities that you do when you play football or tennis."

The Abu Dhabi event is expected to feature a mix of competitive wrestling bouts and showmanship, with a focus on engaging both long-time fans and newcomers to the sport.