Jordan Burroughs Set for Historic Russia Debut Against Magomed Kurbanaliev

The American wrestling icon will battle the 2016 world champion at RAF Moscow, marking his first career match on Russian soil.

Wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs is officially scheduled to face fellow world champion Magomed Kurbanaliev in a highly anticipated international showdown. The Real American Freestyle (RAF) league confirmed that the two elite freestyle wrestlers will collide on September 5, 2026, at the high-profile RAF Moscow showcase event in Russia.

The matchup stands out as a historic milestone for Burroughs. Despite assembling one of the greatest careers in freestyle wrestling history—including a 2012 Olympic gold medal and six world championship titles—the 38-year-old American superstar has never actually competed inside Russia. Before traveling to Moscow for this historic event, Burroughs will first make his official promotional debut against UFC contender Sean Brady at RAF 12 in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 22.

His opponent, Kurbanaliev, represents a formidable hometown challenge. The Dagestani native is a decorated veteran who captured a world championship gold medal for Russia in 2016 and is a two-time European champion. The blockbuster event, which will stream live internationally on Fox Nation, highlights RAF’s aggressive global expansion strategy as the professional league continues to pair iconic international mat legends for lucrative, high-stakes freestyle spectacles.