IBA President Umar Kremlev drives global combat sports expansion with historic wrestling partnership with RAF
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 11 Jul 2026
Lausanne, Switzerland — President of the International Boxing Association (IBA), who also serves as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Russian Wrestling Federation, continues to reshape the landscape of global combat sports.
Leveraging the IBA’s successful model of commercial growth and athlete-first governance, Mr Kremlev together with Chad Bronstein, co-founder and CEO of the professional wrestling league Real American Freestyle (RAF), has announced a historic joint venture with the professional wrestling league to launch its debut tournament of RAF Russia.
The debut joint project will see an RAF tournament held in Moscow on 5 September 2026, featuring finest of the world's elite wrestlers. Kremlev and Bronstein announced the upcoming event at a press conference in Tbilisi, held on the eve of the international RAF Georgia tournament.
"The RAF tournament in Moscow will meet the highest standards, it is to become the next level one for the league, bringing together the planet’s best wrestlers. These athletes deserve proper reward for their hard work so they can support their families and build sustainable professional careers. We have successfully implemented this approach at the IBA while revolutionising boxing globally, and I am entirely confident that wrestling will achieve the same success.
Wrestling belongs in the biggest arenas, backed by serious partners and a global audience. Alongside Chad Bronstein and the RAF, we will create the perfect conditions to elevate the sport worldwide," Umar Kremlev stated.
The two parties plan to jointly develop the professional wrestling format, attracting world's top athletes, and creating new opportunities for wrestlers to take their success to another level, while earning substantial financial rewards.
Chad Bronstein, CEO & CoFounder of RAF, highlighted the exceptional standard of the Russian wrestling school, the sport's rich heritage, and the major significance of RAF entering the Russian market. “Our international strategy has always been centered on bringing RAF to markets with deep wrestling traditions and passionate fans. Moscow is one of those places. This event is another milestone in our commitment to building a truly global platform for the best wrestlers in the world.”
Izzy Martinez, COO & CoFounder of RAF, stated that “Moscow has been home to some of the greatest wrestlers the sport has ever seen. For our athletes, competing there carries real meaning. One of the things that makes RAF special is our ability to bring together the best wrestlers in the world, regardless of where they come from. That’s good for the athletes, good for the fans and good for the future of wrestling.”
Founded in 2025, the professional wrestling league RAF promotes a freestyle wrestling format where athletes compete for prize money, with events hosted in major arenas and broadcast widely to an international audience.
The first RAF tournament outside North America will take place on 11 July 2026 at the Tbilisi Arena in Georgia. The evening's headline bouts will feature two former UFC champions Merab Dvalishvili and Henry Cejudo, alongside a clash between Olympic champions Abdulrashid Sadulaev of Russia and Kyle Snyder of the USA.
The Moscow tournament on 5 September will mark the next phase of RAF's international expansion. The fight card, venue, and full event schedule will be announced in due course.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
IBA President Umar Kremlev drives global combat sports expansion with historic wrestling partnership with RAF
Sat, 11 Jul 2026July 14th Fight Card Featuring Hasim Rahman Moved to Tuesday, August 18th at ESL Ballpark in Rochester, New York
Sat, 11 Jul 2026Sem Japet Enano scores another Upset in Brisbane, Stops Tyler Blizzard in 7th
Fri, 10 Jul 2026WBO Asia Pacific super bantamweight champion Gabriel Santisima set to defend title tomorrow in Malungon, Sarangani Province
Fri, 10 Jul 2026BiYu Promotions Launches "Fights Under the Lights" with Star-Studded Card Featuring the Return of the Grandy Twins
Fri, 10 Jul 2026Full card set for ProBoxTV on July 18 in San Bernardino
Fri, 10 Jul 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev promises world-class spectacle ahead of IBA PRO 19 showdown
Fri, 10 Jul 2026Ataev-Uzcategui WBA title eliminator officials named
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 10 Jul 2026GM Joey Antonio is set to defend his titles at the upcoming sixth Gov. Henry S.Oaminal Chess Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 10 Jul 2026Triple title header in UKC slugfest on July 12
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 09 Jul 2026Coming soon Chávez vs Chávez new documentary TV series
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 09 Jul 2026ANDY RUIZ JR. PENS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Thu, 09 Jul 2026US based NM OJ Reyes eyes another title
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 09 Jul 2026Legane fights on August 2 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 08 Jul 2026"The Greatest" Muhammad Ali biographical mini series to stream on Prime Video starting November 4
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 08 Jul 2026