Shara Bullet vs. Neiman Gracie Set for RAF Moscow

Shara Bullet will make his Real American Freestyle debut against former Bellator welterweight title contender Neiman Gracie, with the promotion announcing the freestyle wrestling matchup for RAF Moscow on Sept. 5 at Russia's VTB Arena.

Bullet, the UFC middleweight better known as Shara Magomedov, is 17-1 overall and 6-1 since arriving in the octagon. He has won his last two fights on the scorecards, beating Michel Pereira and Marc-Andre Barriault. Magomedov has already tested his wrestling and grappling outside the cage this year, going the distance in unscored exhibitions with Edson Barboza and Arman Tsarukyan for Hype FC.

Gracie steps in for his own first RAF appearance, and it marks his first bout for a major American promotion since a 2024 PFL welterweight tournament semifinal loss to Magomed Umalatov. The 37-year-old Gracie built his name in Bellator's welterweight division, where he challenged Rory MacDonald for the 170-pound title in 2019 before dropping a decision. His MMA record sits at 13-6, and like the rest of his family, he has a deep resume in BJJ competition outside of MMA.

What RAF Moscow Means for Shara Magomedov's Profile

This booking puts Magomedov's wrestling on a real stage against a Gracie, and that matchup carries weight beyond the freestyle format itself. Gracie's game has always been built around grappling exchanges and control, so a freestyle wrestling contest against him is as much a style test as a name-value crossover booking. A strong showing does more for Magomedov's crossover profile than another exhibition round with a striker like Barboza would, since Gracie represents an actual grappling pedigree rather than a striker dabbling on the mat.

Betting Angle

Freestyle wrestling scoring rewards takedowns, control and mat wrestling IQ rather than finishing instinct, which shifts the equation compared to a straight MMA or grappling match between these two. Magomedov enters with more recent competitive reps in these hybrid formats, having already gone the distance with two credentialed names this year, while Gracie is walking onto RAF mats cold. That experience gap, plus Magomedov's operating in his current physical prime at middleweight against a 37-year-old coming off a tournament loss, points to books favoring the UFC standout once a line is posted. Bettors should watch for how RAF prices its crossover bouts once the full Moscow card and odds are released closer to fight week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Shara Bullet fighting at RAF Moscow?

Shara Bullet, the UFC middleweight also known as Shara Magomedov, faces former Bellator title contender Neiman Gracie in a freestyle wrestling bout at RAF Moscow on Sept. 5 at Russia's VTB Arena.

What is Shara Magomedov's MMA record?

Shara Magomedov is 17-1 overall in MMA and 6-1 inside the UFC octagon, with his last two wins coming by decision over Michel Pereira and Marc-Andre Barriault.

What is Neiman Gracie's fighting background?

Neiman Gracie holds a 13-6 MMA record and challenged Rory MacDonald for Bellator's welterweight title in 2019, and he also competes in top-level BJJ tournaments outside of MMA.