ESPN RAF Moscow article: Experts: RAF card in Moscow likely violates U.S. sanctions

[bnwtwg]

Experts: RAF card in Moscow likely violates U.S. sanctions

Fox Nation, part of Fox News Media, had committed to stream every RAF event, including the Moscow card headlined by former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev and former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. The Fox Nation broadcasts have blended UFC and WWE-style presentation with wrestling, a sport that has historically been limited to college campuses and the Summer Olympics.

But after ESPN asked questions about the potential violations of U.S. sanctions, a Fox News spokesperson said the company decided Thursday that Fox Nation "will not be streaming the Moscow episode of Real American Freestyle."

 

[JMill]

[MPhillips]

 

[Yugdab]

well that sucks! 

[Yugdab]

Maybe they will just put all matches on Youtube they have done this with some past events 

[The Kid]

What a joke.

[GlassPrison]

I originally had some questions when I heard about this event, but presumed that RAF did their diligence ahead of time.  One thing to note - the article is from ESPN, a direct competitor to Fox.  The quotes from legislators are from two members of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, so there should be no surprise about their displeasure.  Without knowing what work RAF has done to clear the event, it seems like there's two possibilities: (1) they rushed this and didn't do their homework.  In which case, they need to outright cancel or risk major issues with the Fox relationship, investors, and public perception, OR (2) they've already cleared this and have received a green light from legal representation and it's a non-story (and ESPN is shooting across Fox's deck).  Either way, there's PR work to be done, but I have to imagine that they expected that going into an event in Russia.

[1032004]

19 hours ago, GlassPrison said:

I originally had some questions when I heard about this event, but presumed that RAF did their diligence ahead of time.  One thing to note - the article is from ESPN, a direct competitor to Fox.  The quotes from legislators are from two members of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, so there should be no surprise about their displeasure.  Without knowing what work RAF has done to clear the event, it seems like there's two possibilities: (1) they rushed this and didn't do their homework.  In which case, they need to outright cancel or risk major issues with the Fox relationship, investors, and public perception, OR (2) they've already cleared this and have received a green light from legal representation and it's a non-story (and ESPN is shooting across Fox's deck).  Either way, there's PR work to be done, but I have to imagine that they expected that going into an event in Russia.

On RAF’s Facebook they have posted a bunch of ads for multiple events.  All of the ones talking about specific events except Moscow have the Fox Nation logo.   Definitely looks like it will not be on Fox Nation.  I’d have to think they will just put on YouTube, but would that be a violation too?  I know the ESPN article said the arena it will be at is sponsored by a government-owned bank that apparently has been involved in war-related activities.

Edited August 18 by 1032004

[MPhillips]

26 minutes ago, 1032004 said:

 I know the ESPN article said the arena it will be at is sponsored by a government-owned bank that apparently has been involved in war-related activities.

Interestingly enough, Husker knew so little about what was going on that he couldn't speak on it.

[1032004]

5 minutes ago, MPhillips said:

Interestingly enough, Husker knew so little about what was going on that he couldn't speak on it.

Well he also said he thought Dillon Danis might be banned then they made him a main event, so maybe he’s not as involved as he makes it appear 

[Dogbone]

20 hours ago, GlassPrison said:

I originally had some questions when I heard about this event, but presumed that RAF did their diligence ahead of time.  One thing to note - the article is from ESPN, a direct competitor to Fox.  The quotes from legislators are from two members of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, so there should be no surprise about their displeasure.  Without knowing what work RAF has done to clear the event, it seems like there's two possibilities: (1) they rushed this and didn't do their homework.  In which case, they need to outright cancel or risk major issues with the Fox relationship, investors, and public perception, OR (2) they've already cleared this and have received a green light from legal representation and it's a non-story (and ESPN is shooting across Fox's deck).  Either way, there's PR work to be done, but I have to imagine that they expected that going into an event in Russia.

If the event was cleared in your (2), you would think RAF's statement would of have pointed it out and made it clear they followed all of the steps.  

I do find it interesting that ESPN is paying attention to RAF to do the work they did to call it out Fox about it.   If RAF was a nothingburger then I doubt they would care at all.  

[1032004]

1 hour ago, Dogbone said:

If the event was cleared in your (2), you would think RAF's statement would of have pointed it out and made it clear they followed all of the steps.  

I do find it interesting that ESPN is paying attention to RAF to do the work they did to call it out Fox about it.   If RAF was a nothingburger then I doubt they would care at all.  

Second paragraph is a good point.  All press is good press I guess?

But I think it’s a safe bet it’s not going to be on Fox Nation.  Here is their site, you can see for the 8/22, 9/19, and 10/3 events there are links to Fox Nation, but for the 9/5 Moscow event there is not.

https://www.realamericanfreestyle.com/

They also made an x post on 8/4 saying it would be on Fox Nation which appears to have been deleted. 

https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Bo-Nickal-vs-Olympic-champion-Shirvani-Muradov-set-for-RAF-Moscow-202225

Edited August 18 by 1032004

[MPhillips]

7 minutes ago, 1032004 said:

But I think it’s a safe bet it’s not going to be on Fox Nation.

It's sounded like a done deal since it was announced.

[LJB]

10 minutes ago, MPhillips said:

It's sounded like a done deal since it was announced.

i find it incredibly unlikely that RAF would have entered into this event without being fairly certain it was able to go forward in the same manner as any other...

but, who knows...

seems silly either way, but, half wits and their political dramas seem to have a way of influencing things whether legitimately or not...

[MPhillips]

2 minutes ago, LJB said:

i find it incredibly unlikely that RAF would have entered into this event without being fairly certain

As do I.

It's been a done deal since they determined it was a done deal. Not when they announced it was happening.

Edited August 18 by MPhillips

[1032004]

17 minutes ago, MPhillips said:

It's sounded like a done deal since it was announced.

Sorry, what announcement are you referring to?

[MPhillips]

4 minutes ago, 1032004 said:

Sorry, what announcement are you referring to?

The announcement a couple days ago when they said it wouldn't be broadcast.

[1032004]

1 minute ago, MPhillips said:

The announcement a couple days ago when they said it wouldn't be broadcast.

RAF made this announcement?

[MPhillips]

On 8/16/2026 at 4:32 PM, bnwtwg said:

a Fox News spokesperson said the company decided Thursday that Fox Nation "will not be streaming the Moscow episode of Real American Freestyle."

Jesus christ fellas! We're going in f'ing circles here.

2 minutes ago, 1032004 said:

RAF made this announcement?

Who said that?

[LJB]

not only is he a proud member of the half-wit brigade...

[1032004]

7 minutes ago, MPhillips said:

Jesus christ fellas! We're going in f'ing circles here.

Who said that?

Fair enough, although I’m not sure I would call a spokesperson responding to a question from an ESPN reporter as an “announcement.”  I thought you were referring to something more formal.  In fact I think it’s not a great look that RAF has not addressed it at all as far as I can tell.

Edited August 18 by 1032004

[1032004]

24 minutes ago, LJB said:

i find it incredibly unlikely that RAF would have entered into this event without being fairly certain it was able to go forward in the same manner as any other...

but, who knows...

seems silly either way, but, half wits and their political dramas seem to have a way of influencing things whether legitimately or not...

There is certainly a lot of unnecessary political drama these days.  But I’m not sure I’d lump not wanting to support governments that attack sovereign countries in that.

[MPhillips]

Just now, 1032004 said:

In fact I think it’s not a great look that RAF has not addressed it at all

Willie had a chance but didn't know.

1 minute ago, 1032004 said:

I’m not sure I would call a “representative” responding to a question from an ESPN reporter as an “announcement.”

Your jerking chains now just to jerk chains.

10 minutes ago, MPhillips said:

a Fox News spokesperson said the company decided Thursday

 

[LJB]

1 minute ago, 1032004 said:

There is certainly a lot of unnecessary political drama these days.  But I’m not sure I’d lump not wanting to support governments that attack sovereign countries in that.

i am sure you have a very nuanced view of the entire affair like you do with most topics...

whatever...

start a thread in the half wit section if you want to rant about the politics...

[1032004]

Just now, MPhillips said:

Willie had a chance but didn't know.

Your jerking chains now just to jerk chains.

 

Thanks, just edited to spokesperson.  Doesn’t really change my point, I wouldn’t really call responding to a question from a competitor as an announcement.