From Trump's phone call to Abu Dhabi: Covington hopes to inspire Arab wrestlers

The NationalParty-alignedCenterNov 4

Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has been added to the Real American Freestyle (RAF) Abu Dhabi card, scheduled for November 14. He will face Brazilian mixed martial artist Marlon Moraes in a catchweight crossover wrestling match, marking Dvalishvili's fourth appearance in the promotion. The event serves as the inaugural RAF competition in the Middle East, taking place at Etihad Arena under a new five-year partnership involving the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi. The card is headlined by a cruiserweight crossover championship bout between Khamzat Chimaev and Colby Covington. Dvalishvili expressed excitement about returning to Abu Dhabi, citing the local fan base and his desire to compete, while noting he is prepared to win against any opponent.

Bias read (Center): The article covers a professional wrestling event using neutral, factual language and direct quotes without editorializing or political framing.

Khaleej TimesParty-alignedCenterNov 3

American mixed martial artist Colby Covington discussed his upcoming participation in the Real American Freestyle (RAF) Abu Dhabi event scheduled for November 14. While noting his past interaction with US President Donald Trump, Covington emphasized his desire to support four Arab wrestlers competing in the inaugural Middle Eastern edition of the league. He expressed hope that the presence of fighters from Bahrain, Jordan, and Egypt would inspire local talent and demonstrate regional potential within the global combat sports scene. The article highlights specific matchups involving these Arab athletes alongside Covington’s featured bout against Khamzat Chimaev. Covington described the event as an electric environment designed to promote hard work and resilience among aspiring athletes.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses exclusively on athletic competition and motivational quotes, treating the mention of the former president as trivial background trivia rather than a substantive political issue.