RAF Moscow Changes Venue for Chimaev vs. Woodley to Avoid Sanctions

Khamzat Chimaev's upcoming match against Tyron Woodley at the Real American Freestyle event will now take place at Arena Mytishchi, approximately 20 miles from the originally planned VTB Arena in Moscow. This venue change was announced less than 48 hours before the event, raising questions regarding potential U.S. sanctions violations.

The shift was made public on Thursday, but no specific reasons were provided. Ticket holders for VTB Arena are expected to receive guidance on how to manage the change. The decision comes shortly after reports indicated that hosting the event at VTB Arena could breach U.S. sanctions due to its ties with sanctioned entities.

Despite the venue switch, the main event featuring Chimaev and Woodley remains unchanged. Both fighters are coming into the match with recent victories, and the event is still set to showcase a strong lineup of wrestlers. The implications of U.S. sanctions on the event continue to be a concern, but the organization has not disclosed whether it sought government approval for the venue.