The inaugural RAF event in Abu Dhabi delivered high drama both inside and outside the arena, culminating in a dominant performance by Khamzat Chimaev. In the main event at the Etihad Arena, Chimaev secured the light heavyweight crossover championship by completely shutting out former UFC champion Chris Weidman. The bout began as a tactical stalemate with heavy collar ties, but Chimaev eventually broke through with a precise dip-under trip and aggressive boundary work to seize control. A contested sequence in the second period ended in Chimaev’s favor following a video review, sealing a perfect ten zero technical fall victory that leaves Weidman searching for answers.
While the competition was fierce on the mats, the lead up to the event was defined by an ugly confrontation in a hotel lobby. Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and his associate Saba Lazashvili were targeted in an attack involving Usman Nurmagomedov and members of Team Khabib. The legal fallout was swift and severe, resulting in six month jail sentences for Nurmagomedov and seven others, along with heavy fines and deportation orders from the UAE. Despite the turmoil, Dvalishvili remained focused enough to dismantle Marlon Moraes via pinfall in just ninety seconds, though he used his post fight platform to call for Nurmagomedov’s release.
The ripple effects of the brawl also reshaped the card itself. Twenty one year old Saba Lazashvili stepped into the spotlight as a viral sensation, replacing Umar Nurmagomedov against veteran Urijah Faber. Lazashvili lived up to the hype, grinding out a twelve seven decision victory over Faber. Other standouts included Arman Tsarukyan, who cruised to another flawless technical fall against Neiman Gracie, while established champions Kyle Dake, Kyle Snyder, and Kennedy Blades all successfully defended their titles with similarly lopsided performances.
