Abdulrashid Sadulaev Wins Home Return Over Zac Braunagel at RAF Moscow
Abdulrashid Sadulaev won on home mats Saturday, beating Zac Braunagel 8-6 at RAF Moscow. Real American Freestyle posted the result as a “HOME WIN FOR SADULAEV,” marking the two-time Olympic champion’s first victory in the promotion.
The 215-pound co-main event was held at Mytishchi Arena in Moscow Oblast. MMA Fighting listed the score as 8-6 for Sadulaev.
The match was Sadulaev’s first since a painful RAF debut. Kyle Snyder pinned him at RAF Georgia on July 11, and Sadulaev left the mat with a knee injury that required medical help.
That loss ended a long run of dominance over Snyder. Sadulaev had beaten the American three times before Tbilisi, including the Tokyo Olympic final at 97 kilograms.
The Russian, nicknamed the Russian Tank, signed an exclusive RAF deal in January. He is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, a six-time world champion, and the 2026 European champion at 97 kilograms.
Braunagel, 26, was a steep step down on paper and still made it a scored fight. The Illinois product from Belleville is a four-time NCAA qualifier and a 2023 U.S. world team member at 87 kilograms.
It was his first trip to Moscow. RAF’s Russian account had him saying Sadulaev’s form did not matter, and that he came to wrestle.
An 8-6 decision is not a technical fall. It is a win in front of a home crowd after two months away from a knee injury that ended his last match by pin.
Snyder still holds the RAF light heavyweight title. He defended it earlier Saturday, beating Akhmed Tazhudinov 11-5, then asked for another meeting with Sadulaev, according to MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin.
That rematch is not booked. Saturday’s result only puts Sadulaev back in the win column and keeps the rivalry alive.
Sadulaev was barred from the 2024 Paris Olympics because of restrictions on Russian athletes. RAF has been his path back onto a paid, high-profile mat, including this first home appearance.
Braunagel trains with Navy WC and the New York AC and is ranked No. 3 on the 2026-27 U.S. team list at 87 kilograms. Taking Sadulaev the distance on points in Moscow is a result he can use, even in defeat.
No next opponent has been announced for Sadulaev. He will wait for RAF to make that match, while the Moscow card continued later Saturday with Khamzat Chimaev vs. Tyron Woodley still scheduled as the main event.