Zahid Valencia’s scheduled RAF assignment is a cruiserweight meeting with Khidir Saipudinov at RAF Abu Dhabi on November 14. Two documented wins from different stages of Valencia’s career offer a more useful starting point than a list of trophies: a narrow college final and a scoreless defensive performance against a world-level opponent.
A title decided by one point
Arizona State’s account of the 2019 NCAA Championships records Valencia beating Mark Hall 4–3 in the 174-pound final. It was his second consecutive national title, following his 2018 championship, also won against Hall.
That result provides a reminder about what a championship résumé contains. A title-winning run can end with a one-point decision; the medal alone does not describe the margin or the demands of the final. College results belong to their own competition and should not be added to Valencia’s RAF record.
How the 7–0 semifinal developed
At the 2025 World Championships in Zagreb, United World Wrestling reported Valencia defeating Kamran Ghasempour 7–0 in the 86kg semifinal. Its account describes an activity point and two takedowns producing a 5–0 advantage at the break, followed by two stepouts in the second period.
The defensive detail is as useful as the score. UWW reported that Valencia escaped two low-single attacks. His opponent reached the legs without converting those opportunities into points. The shutout therefore included successful defensive responses, rather than simply an absence of pressure.
Questions for the Abu Dhabi match
The historical examples suggest two things to track. First, separate the scoring actions: is a lead growing through repeated takedowns, or through smaller additions between attacks? Second, follow a leg attack beyond the entry. Getting to the leg and completing the scoring exchange are different stages.
These are viewing questions drawn from a documented past performance, not a claim that Saipudinov will use the same attacks or that Valencia will reproduce the result. The world semifinal took place at 86kg; RAF labels the upcoming pairing cruiserweight. Different opponents and competition settings limit direct comparisons.
The official card confirms the scheduled pairing, but this analysis does not establish a running order or an individual bout start time. Recheck the event listing for changes before watching.