Zabit Magomedsharipov’s return to combat sports is becoming more than a one-night appearance.

The former UFC featherweight contender has signed with Real American Freestyle and will face fellow UFC veteran Giga Chikadze at RAF Abu Dhabi on November 14 at Etihad Arena. Promotional officials confirmed the matchup to MMA Fighting, while RAF also announced the pairing through its official social channels.

The booking gives fans another chance to see one of the UFC’s most creative former contenders compete, but it comes with an important distinction: this is a freestyle wrestling match, not an MMA comeback.

Zabit’s competitive return continues

Magomedsharipov walked away from MMA after defeating Calvin Kattar by unanimous decision in November 2019. He finished his UFC run at 6-0 and left professional MMA with an 18-1 record, creating years of speculation about what he might have accomplished in a five-round title fight.

His appeal came from an unusually broad skill set. Magomedsharipov could switch stances, attack with spinning techniques and then move directly into trips, takedowns and submissions. UFC statistics credit him with 5.22 takedowns per 15 minutes, a number that helps explain why a wrestling promotion is a natural home for this stage of his career.

The RAF signing follows Magomedsharipov’s return to competition in August, when he defeated UFC featherweight Youssef Zalal in a grappling match at ACBJJ 22. His manager, Ali Abdelaziz, told MMA Junkie that the new RAF agreement covers four matches, giving Magomedsharipov a schedule rather than a single exhibition.

There is still no verified indication that he plans to resume professional MMA. For now, grappling and freestyle wrestling allow him to compete without committing to a full MMA training camp or reopening the UFC chapter of his career.

Giga Chikadze crosses into wrestling

Chikadze presents a recognizable opponent, but the rules remove the area where he built his reputation.

The Georgian featherweight came to MMA through karate and kickboxing and began his UFC run with seven consecutive victories. He became known for sharp body kicks, long-range striking and the “Giga kick” that helped produce several of his most memorable finishes.

None of those weapons score under RAF rules. The match will be decided through takedowns, exposure, step-outs, turns and control rather than punches, kicks or submissions. That makes Chikadze’s defensive wrestling and ability to create points from neutral position the central question.

Magomedsharipov has the clearer wrestling background, but inactivity remains the balancing factor. He is 35 and has competed only once since 2019. A short freestyle match demands repeated explosive exchanges, and the pace can punish any hesitation even when one athlete holds the technical advantage.

A crossover-heavy Abu Dhabi card

Magomedsharipov vs. Chikadze joins a card built around recognizable MMA names entering a different competitive format.

RAF Abu Dhabi is scheduled to feature Khamzat Chimaev challenging Colby Covington for the promotion’s cruiserweight crossover championship. The lineup also includes Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Urijah Faber, Kyle Snyder vs. Shamil Erdogan and a rematch between Jordan Burroughs and Azamat Nurykau.

For RAF, adding Magomedsharipov strengthens an event designed to connect elite wrestling with fighters already familiar to combat-sports audiences. For Magomedsharipov, it offers another test without requiring him to answer the question fans continue to ask about an MMA return.

What the matchup means

The announcement should not be sold as Zabit returning to the cage. It is significant for a different reason: a fighter whose prime appeared to end abruptly is now building a second competitive chapter.

Chikadze’s presence adds name value and an uncertain stylistic wrinkle, but Magomedsharipov enters with the more obvious route to victory. His takedown volume, scrambling ability and years of wrestling experience should translate more directly to RAF’s scoring system.

The larger story comes after November 14. If Magomedsharipov performs well and remains healthy, a four-match agreement creates several possible wrestling and crossover matchups. If he struggles with the pace after such a long absence, the debut will show how difficult it is to recover elite competitive timing—even for one of the most naturally gifted fighters of his UFC generation.

Either way, fans finally have another confirmed date to watch Zabit compete. That alone makes RAF Abu Dhabi one of the most intriguing crossover cards on the calendar.