MMA News

Category: Wrestling

  • Henry Cejudo Scores Shutout, Will Face Merab Dvalishvili in April

    Henry Cejudo Scores Shutout, Will Face Merab Dvalishvili in April

    While his UFC career did not end in the greatest of success, Henry Cejudo showed why he’s been one of the greatest wrestlers in the discipline, scoring an 11-0 technical fall win over Urijah Faber in the RAF 6 main event.

    Cejudo did not let Faber into the contest for a moment, as he ankle picked his fellow UFC alumnus and took over from there. Cejudo used several takedowns during the contest to rack up points. While Faber would try to use his grappling defense, it wasn’t enough.

    Cejudo scored 11 points before Faber could even get on the board, resulting in a dominant technical fall win for the former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion.

    Henry Cejudo Faces Off With Merab Dvalishvili After Win Over Urijah Faber At RAF 6

    Following his victory, Cejudo called out fellow former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili.

    Cejudo made the challenge to be Dvalishvili’s first RAF opponent after his recent signing. Dvalishvili accepted the match, with the two being booked to headline RAF 8 in Philadelphia this April.

    “Merab Dvalishvili, you’re next!” Cejudo said. “You didn’t beat me! April in Philly, I’m going to spank you, Merab. Sign the contract. I’m going to make you bend the knee!”

    Cejudo and Dvalishvili faced off at UFC 298 in February 2024, with Dvalishvili winning before going on to capture the UFC bantamweight title later that year.

  • Bo Nickal, Khamzat Chimaev Respond To Colby Covington’s RAF Promo

    Bo Nickal, Khamzat Chimaev Respond To Colby Covington’s RAF Promo

    Colby Covington has always been one to ruffle feathers and stir up drama, but his mic time at RAF 6 has left some of his fellow competitors unimpressed.

    Covington was at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona, for the RAF 6 event and took to the mic to ask the crowd who they’d like to see him face off with next.

    Covington polled the crowd on three potential names — Arman Tsarukyan, Kamaru Usman, and Georges St Pierre.

    “I’ve got a couple of names in mind,” Covington said. “How about that little spoiled brat from Armenia, Arman Tsarukyan? What about the trilogy with Marty FakeNewsman? I beat him last time we were in Madison Square Garden. Come to the Real American Freestyle mat, I’m going to beat you here, Marty.

    “And then I got one more name, because there’s nothing more like as an American than beating those Canadians’ a**. Georges St Pierre, where you at?”

    Colby Covington Makes RAF Callouts, Bo Nickal and Khamzat Chimaev Call Him Out

    Even though Covington did not refer to competing next in the Octagon, his comments at the RAF event sparked responses from some of his fellow UFC stars.

    One of those names is Bo Nickal, who has expressed a desire to compete against Covington on the UFC White House card in June.

    Nickal claims the former interim welterweight champion is using RAF to avoid facing off with him in a battle of former NCAA Division-I All-Americans in the Octagon.

    “Colby the clown running scared,” Nickal posted on social media. “He doesn’t want me to embarrass him at the White House. Man up, brother, let’s do it.”

    The promo from Covington also brought out a response from UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, who expressed openness in having a showdown with Covington on the wrestling mats.

    “Next RAF, I will make American boy humble again,” Chimaev posted. “Colbiclown let’s go.”

    When asked if he is injured, Chimaev clarified that he is just waiting to figure out a date for a UFC middleweight title defense against Sean Strickland.

    Covington made his RAF debut at RAF 5 in January, defeating Luke Rockhold.

  • Arman Tsarukyan, Georgio Poullas Have Post-Match Brawl at RAF 6

    Arman Tsarukyan, Georgio Poullas Have Post-Match Brawl at RAF 6

    UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan finds himself in the controversial spotlight again following a post-fight brawl that erupted between him and RAF 6 opponent Georgio Poullas.

    Tsarukyan defeated Poullas 5-3 in a close and competitive battle with plenty of tension. Tsarukyan wasn’t finished after the final whistle, however.

    Tsarukyan shoved Poullas down and began to throw punches in an MMA-style ground-and-pound attack. The referee, fight officials, and both corners quickly intervened to separate the two.

    Tsarukyan’s attack appeared to come as revenge for dirty tactics employed by Poullas during the match. Footage from the match shows Poullas slapping the back of Tsarukyan’s head and throwing punches.

    In one video, Tsarukyan’s team can be heard yelling in protest over Poullas’ actions.

    In a post on X (formerly Twitter) following the RAF event, Tsarukyan showed frustration and no remorse for the brawl.

    “F*** around and find out,” Tsarukyan posted.

    Tsarukyan has seemed to clash with the UFC over the past couple of years for a number of controversies.

    He was suspended following his win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 following an altercation with a fan during his entrance. Tsarukyan withdrew from a scheduled lightweight title fight with Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 just one day before the event, and he hasn’t received a title shot since. Tsarukyan also got physical with Dan Hooker during the UFC Qatar ceremonial weigh-ins back in November.

    This marked Tsarukyan’s RAF debut. Poullas, meanwhile, competed at RAF 5 in January, scoring a technical fall over Keelon Jimison.

  • RAF 06 Results: Cejudo vs. Faber

    RAF 06 Results: Cejudo vs. Faber

    RAF 06 delivered a wild night of action from Mullett Arena at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona on Saturday, highlighted by Henry Cejudo’s dominant shutout of Urijah Faber and a post-match brawl between Arman Tsarukyan and Georgio Poullas that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

    Quick Results

    • Henry Cejudo def. Urijah Faber via Tech Fall (11-0), 3rd Period
    • Arman Tsarukyan def. Georgio Poullas via Points (6-4) — post-match brawl
    • Aljamain Sterling def. Benson Henderson via Pin, 3rd Period
    • David Carr (c) def. Bubba Jenkins via Tech Fall (13-2), 2nd Period — RAF Welterweight Championship
    • Andrew Alirez def. Bryce Meredith via Tech Fall (13-2)
    • Givi Matcharashvili def. Stephen Buchanan via Criteria (3-3)
    • Lucia Yepez def. Everest Leydecker via Points (10-3)
    • Tajmuraz Salkazanov def. Keegan O’Toole via Points (9-0)
    • Evan Wick def. Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov via Tech Fall (13-2), 3rd Period
    • Zahid Valencia def. Mahmoud Fawzy Sebie via Tech Fall (10-0), 1st Period
    • Jordan Oliver def. Beau Bartlett via Points (5-3)
    • Keelon Jimison def. Clay Guida via Tech Fall (14-3), 2nd Period

    Henry Cejudo def. Urijah Faber via Tech Fall (11-0), 3rd Period

    The Olympic gold medalist proved he’s still elite on the mat. Cejudo, competing in his home state of Arizona, controlled the match from the opening whistle against the 46-year-old UFC Hall of Famer. Cejudo’s speed to the heel was the story of the match, as Faber had no answer for the repeated ankle picks that allowed “Triple C” to rack up points at will.

    Cejudo built a 3-0 lead in the first period through a combination of shot clock points and takedowns. He extended that to 7-0 by the end of the second, with Faber unable to score a single point despite a spirited late drive. In the third period, Cejudo pushed the margin to 11-0 to secure the technical fall and a shutout victory in his RAF 06 main event debut.

    Immediately after the win, Cejudo grabbed the microphone and called out former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, who recently signed with RAF. “Merab! You are next!” Cejudo screamed. Dvalishvili, who defeated Cejudo by unanimous decision at UFC 298 in 2024, accepted on the spot. The two are now expected to headline RAF 08 on April 18 in Philadelphia.

    RAF commentator Chael Sonnen revealed during the broadcast that Cejudo signed a three-match deal with RAF and will compete throughout 2026. After going 0-4 in his final UFC run before retiring last December, the return to wrestling appears to have rejuvenated Cejudo.

    Arman Tsarukyan def. Georgio Poullas via Points (6-4) — Brawl Erupts

    The co-main event between UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan and Georgio Poullas was competitive and tense throughout — and it spilled over after the final whistle in dramatic fashion.

    Tsarukyan and Poullas engaged in a physical, back-and-forth battle that featured plenty of hand fighting and aggressive exchanges. Poullas appeared to employ dirty tactics during the match, with footage showing him slapping the back of Tsarukyan’s head and throwing punches. Tsarukyan’s corner could be heard yelling in protest over the illegal actions. In the third period, Tsarukyan powered Poullas out of bounds with a late push to secure the 6-4 win on points.

    But the drama was far from over. Moments after the final bell, Tsarukyan shoved Poullas to the ground and unleashed punches in MMA-style ground and pound. The referee, officials, and both corners rushed in to separate them as dozens of people stormed the mat. Colby Covington — who appeared at the event and polled the crowd on future opponents — helped escort Poullas backstage during the chaos.

    The incident adds to Tsarukyan’s growing list of controversies. He was suspended following an altercation with a fan at UFC 300, got physical with Dan Hooker during UFC Qatar weigh-ins, and withdrew from a scheduled title fight with Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 just one day before the event.

    Aljamain Sterling def. Benson Henderson via Pin, 3rd Period

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling stepped in on short notice after Chad Mendes suffered an injury and delivered an impressive performance against fellow former UFC champion Benson Henderson. Sterling secured the pin in the third period, capping off a grappling showcase between two accomplished combat sports veterans.

    RAF Welterweight Championship: David Carr (c) def. Bubba Jenkins via Tech Fall (13-2), 2nd Period

    Two-time NCAA Division I national champion David Carr made quick work of his title defense, running through Bellator and PFL veteran Bubba Jenkins with a dominant 13-2 tech fall in the second period. Jenkins, a 2011 NCAA national champion himself, had no answer for the younger Carr’s pace and technique. Carr retains the RAF welterweight championship and continues to look like one of the premier talents on the RAF roster.

    Undercard Highlights

    Andrew Alirez made a statement with a 13-2 tech fall over Bryce Meredith in a featherweight matchup. At unlimited weight, Givi Matcharashvili edged Stephen Buchanan via criteria after the match ended 3-3, with a possible injury to Buchanan playing a factor. Lucia Yepez handled Everest Leydecker with a comfortable 10-3 points victory at 120 lbs.

    Tajmuraz Salkazanov posted a shutout of his own, blanking Keegan O’Toole 9-0. Evan Wick scored a third-period tech fall over Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov, and Zahid Valencia was dominant with a first-period 10-0 tech fall over Mahmoud Fawzy Sebie. Jordan Oliver edged Beau Bartlett 5-3 in a competitive featherweight bout, and Keelon Jimison opened the card with a 14-3 tech fall over UFC veteran Clay Guida, who recently departed the promotion after 19 years.

    What’s Next

    The Cejudo vs. Dvalishvili matchup gives RAF 08 a blockbuster headliner on April 18 from the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia. It’s a rematch of their UFC 298 bout that Dvalishvili won by unanimous decision — only this time on the wrestling mat, where Cejudo’s Olympic pedigree could give him the edge.

    Before that, RAF 07 takes place on March 28 from Yuengling Center in Tampa, headlined by Dake vs. Keckeisen. Real American Freestyle continues to build momentum with its blend of elite wrestlers and MMA crossover stars, and the Tsarukyan brawl only added to the promotion’s buzz heading into the spring.

  • RAF 06: Cejudo vs. Faber Preview, Full Card, How to Watch

    RAF 06: Cejudo vs. Faber Preview, Full Card, How to Watch

    RAF 06: Cejudo vs. Faber takes place tonight, Saturday, February 28, from Mullett Arena at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. Doors open at 5:30 PM MT, with the event beginning at 7:00 PM MT (9:00 PM ET). The card streams exclusively on FOX Nation.

    This is widely considered one of the deepest Real American Freestyle cards to date, mixing elite freestyle wrestlers with high-profile MMA crossover names throughout the lineup.

    RAF 06 Poster

    Cejudo vs. Faber Headlines RAF 06

    Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo steps onto the freestyle wrestling mat just weeks after retiring from the UFC to headline against Urijah Faber at lightweight (155 lbs). Faber, a UFC Hall of Famer and fellow former bantamweight champion, makes for a compelling MMA-to-wrestling crossover matchup.

    The co-main event features Arman Tsarukyan taking on Georgio Poullas at middleweight (175 lbs), adding another elite UFC-caliber name to the card.

    Sterling vs. Henderson Added After Card Shakeup

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling stepped in on short notice for the injured Chad Mendes and will face MMA legend Benson Henderson at 175 lbs. It’s another marquee MMA crossover bout on an already stacked card.

    Also of note, RAF Middleweight Champion David Carr (c) defends against Bubba Jenkins at 165 lbs, and former UFC veteran Clay Guida — who recently departed the UFC after 19 years — competes at 165 lbs.

    RAF 06 Full Card

    • 155 lbs (Main Event): Henry Cejudo vs. Urijah Faber
    • 175 lbs (Co-Main): Arman Tsarukyan vs. Georgio Poullas
    • 175 lbs: Aljamain Sterling vs. Benson Henderson
    • 190 lbs: Mahmoud Fawzy vs. Zahid Valencia
    • 165 lbs: David Carr (c) vs. Bubba Jenkins
    • 175 lbs: Tajmuraz Salkazanov vs. Keegan O’Toole
    • 175 lbs: Mahamedkhabib Kadzimahamedau vs. Evan Wick
    • 145 lbs: Andrew Alirez vs. Bryce Meredith
    • 145 lbs: Beau Bartlett vs. Jordan Oliver
    • 165 lbs: Clay Guida vs. TBD
    • Unlimited: Stephen Buchanan vs. Givi Matcharashvili
    • 120 lbs: TBD vs. Everest Leycker

    How to Watch RAF 06

    RAF 06: Cejudo vs. Faber streams exclusively on FOX Nation beginning at 9:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM MT tonight.

    Real American Freestyle recently secured a long-term extension with the platform following record subscriber growth driven by RAF 05.

  • Colby Covington Calls Out Kamaru Usman For Trilogy Under Real American Freestyle Banner: ‘Come See Daddy’

    Colby Covington Calls Out Kamaru Usman For Trilogy Under Real American Freestyle Banner: ‘Come See Daddy’

    Colby Covington wants to settle his rivalry with Kamaru Usman — and he’s not waiting on the UFC to make it happen.

    The two UFC welterweight veterans have met twice in title fights, with Usman coming out on top both times, first with a fifth-round TKO at UFC 245 in December 2019 and then with a narrow unanimous decision victory in their rematch at UFC 268 in November 2021.

    Speaking to Bloody Elbow, Covington issued a direct challenge to “The Nigerian Nightmare” for a trilogy bout under the Real American Freestyle (RAF) grappling banner, framing it as the natural landing spot if Usman’s pursuit of a UFC title fight comes up short.

    “I’d like to see Usman in a Real American Freestyle. We need to do this. We need to settle the trilogy in Real American Freestyle,” Covington said. “So that’s what I’m proposing here today. If Usman doesn’t get the title fight, come see Daddy of Real American Freestyle and let’s do this trilogy.”

    As for whether Usman would accept, “Chaos” expressed genuine confidence. He cited the former UFC welterweight champion’s competitive nature and claimed his longtime rival has already gone on record wanting a third fight.

    “He’s a competitor. He likes to compete. He’s still got that fire and drive,” Covington said. “He’s said for a while that he wants to do a trilogy with me because we have unfinished business. I think it intrigues him. I think he wants to settle the score.”

    The former interim 170-pound titleholder also used the opportunity to relitigate the history between the two, disputing the finish of their first UFC bout.

    “The first fight was a scam. Complete scam. I kicked him in the liver. He called a nutshot, and then it was an early stoppage. I clearly stood up and protested right away.” He added that he believes the second fight — a unanimous decision loss at Madison Square Garden — was closer than the official result suggests, pointing out that “a lot of people had me winning that fight 3-to-2.”

    Covington made his RAF debut last month at RAF 5, earning a dominant technical fall victory over former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold.

    Meanwhile, the 38-year-old Californian has been away from the Octagon since his brutal third-round TKO loss to Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa in December 2024.

    On the other hand, “The Nigerian Nightmare” last fought at UFC Atlanta in June 2025, snapping a three-fight skid with a unanimous decision win over Buckley.

    Usman has since set his sights on a title shot against reigning welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, though that matchup appears unlikely in the near future.

  • Merab Dvalishvili Signs With RAF Wrestling, Debuts April 18

    Merab Dvalishvili Signs With RAF Wrestling, Debuts April 18

    UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili is set to step onto a different kind of mat this spring, signing with Real American Freestyle (RAF Wrestling) and confirming his debut for RAF08 on April 18. The event is scheduled for the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and will stream on FOX Nation as the upstart freestyle league continues to feature high-profile names from the MMA world.

    Dvalishvili, long regarded as one of the UFC’s most relentless grapplers, will compete under freestyle wrestling rules as part of RAF’s push to showcase elite combat sports athletes in a professional, unscripted format built around real wrestling.

    Promotion officials have yet to announce an opponent for “The Machine,” but RAF executives have framed his signing as a major statement of intent as the company builds its 2026 schedule around crossover stars from wrestling and MMA.

    About Real American Freestyle

    RAF, founded in 2025 and headquartered in Florida, has quickly carved out a niche by bringing current and former amateur standouts, Olympians, and MMA fighters into a paid freestyle league, with recent and upcoming events featuring names such as Colby Covington, Luke Rockhold, Henry Cejudo, and Urijah Faber.

    Dvalishvili’s April appearance at RAF08 will mark his first competitive outing outside the UFC in several years and adds further crossover intrigue for fans tracking his next move in the octagon.

  • Aljamain Sterling Steps In for Injured Chad Mendes, Will Face Benson Henderson at RAF 06

    Aljamain Sterling Steps In for Injured Chad Mendes, Will Face Benson Henderson at RAF 06

    Real American Freestyle has confirmed a significant change to its RAF 06 card: former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling will replace the injured Chad Mendes and face Benson Henderson this Saturday, February 28, at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona.

    Sterling, a decorated grappler and UFC 135-pound titlist, now makes his RAF debut in a high-profile welterweight freestyle bout set at 170 pounds. Henderson, a former UFC lightweight champion and veteran of the WEC era, was originally slated to compete against Mendes before the injury forced the late change.

    RAF 06: Updated Card

    The event, officially titled RAF 06: Cejudo vs. Faber, airs live on Fox Nation at 9 PM EST and marks the sixth flagship event from the Real American Freestyle promotion. The card also features former UFC double champion Henry Cejudo headlining against Urijah Faber in a lightweight matchup, as well as other notable bouts including Arman Tsarukyan vs. Georgio Poullas at middleweight and welterweight champion David Carr defending his title against Bubba Jenkins.

    Sterling vs. Henderson is a compelling late addition — both men carry substantial pedigrees in combat sports, making this a marquee matchup in its own right despite the short-notice circumstances. Tickets remain available through Ticketmaster, and the event takes place at Arizona State University’s Mullett Arena.

  • Real American Freestyle Secures Long-Term FOX Nation Extension After Record Subscriber Growth

    Real American Freestyle Secures Long-Term FOX Nation Extension After Record Subscriber Growth

    Real American Freestyle has secured a long-term partnership extension with FOX Nation after driving the streaming platform’s biggest subscriber growth day in over a year.

    The announcement, made Wednesday, confirms FOX Nation will remain the exclusive home for all upcoming RAF events nationwide. The promotion’s fifth show, RAF05, marked a turning point that accelerated the partnership expansion unusually quickly for the streaming industry.

    “Partnerships don’t usually move this quickly. This one did,” RAF stated in announcing the deal.

    The agreement positions FOX Nation as the definitive platform for professional freestyle wrestling, with RAF describing the streaming service as having become a “top subscription driver” for the platform. The promotion expressed gratitude for FOX Nation’s commitment to providing freestyle wrestling with mainstream exposure.

    “Grateful to FOX Nation for the belief and for helping give this sport the home it’s been missing,” the promotion added.

    The partnership extension represents a significant validation for freestyle wrestling’s commercial appeal in the streaming marketplace. RAF launched less than a year ago and has quickly established itself as a driver of subscriber acquisition for the platform.

    All future RAF events will stream exclusively on FOX Nation as part of the expanded agreement.

    RAF 06: Real American Freestyle

    • Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
    • Time: 7:00 PM MT
    • Location: Mullett Arena — Tempe, Arizona
    • Featured Talent: * Henry Cejudo (Olympic Gold Medalist/UFC Champ) is set to co-headline.
      • Clay Guida (UFC Hall of Famer) is also scheduled to compete.
      • (Note: Opponents are typically announced closer to the date; early listings often show them as “co-headliners” before the final matchups are set.)
    • Where to Watch: Streaming exclusively on Fox Nation.
  • Abdulrashid Sadulaev Signs Exclusive Deal with Real American Freestyle

    Abdulrashid Sadulaev Signs Exclusive Deal with Real American Freestyle

    Two-time Olympic gold medalist Abdulrashid Sadulaev has signed an exclusive agreement with Real American Freestyle (RAF), the wrestling league confirmed to MMA Fighting.

    Sadulaev, widely regarded as the greatest freestyle wrestler of his generation, brings an unprecedented resume to RAF. The 29-year-old Russian captured Olympic gold at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, won six World Championship titles across three different weight classes, and holds a career record of 160-6.

    His rivalry with American star Kyle Snyder produced three victories for “The Russian Tank,” including their Tokyo 2020 Olympic final showdown.

    Sadulaev was barred from competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, making RAF an attractive destination for the decorated wrestler to continue competing at the highest level.

    RAF CEO Chad Bronstein called Sadulaev “one of the most dominant athletes the sport of wrestling has ever produced,” adding that the signing signals top-tier wrestlers now view RAF as the professional destination.

    RAF COO Izzy Martinez echoed the sentiment, stating the promotion is “professionalizing wrestling at the highest level” and becoming where the sport’s future is being shaped.

    Real American Freestyle launched in 2025 and broadcasts on Fox Nation. The league features a mix of Olympic wrestlers and MMA crossover athletes including Kyle Snyder, Bo Nickal, Henry Cejudo, and Colby Covington.

  • Archie Colgan on RAF: “I’ll step on the mat and wrestle again” if offered

    Archie Colgan on RAF: “I’ll step on the mat and wrestle again” if offered

    Archie Colgan continues to make waves in the PFL smart cage, but he seems open to an RAF opportunity if something ever came up. RAF refers to Real American Freestyle, which is an outlet that has served as the first, shoot professional wrestling organization.

    As someone who can into MMA with an impressive wrestling pedigree, when asked if he has been following what RAF is doing at all and if he is intrigued by their efforts in any way, Coglan said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],

    “Yeah, I think it’s really cool. I think it’s a good outlet for wrestlers to be able to become professional wrestlers.”

    “Be able to get paid for years and years of work. I think it’s cool. I’m going to try my best to follow these events.”

    “They got some weird subscription that it’s like.”

    “I don’t even remember what it’s called but it’s like some weird off like Fox something that you got to like subscribe to something else.”

    “It’s like you would literally only be subscribing to it for that. So I’m going to do my best to try and follow it.”

    “I think it’s sick. I think it’s really cool that these guys are getting opportunities to make money doing wrestling.”

    “If that was ever like an opportunity, I wouldn’t be opposed to like saying, “Yeah, I’ll step on the mat and wrestle again.””

    “Like, I’m not against that for sure. I think it’s great.”

    Archie Colgan thinks RAF is “a good option for MMA fighters”

    RAF has given independent contractor opportunities to accomplished wrestlers and MMA fighters who came from the wrestling world to get reacquainted with their roots.

    When asked for his thoughts on the kind of opportunities that RAF provides and who can benefit in the competitive martial arts scene, Archie Colgan stated [via Bowks Talking Bouts],

    “Yeah, I think it’s cool. I think it’s a good option for MMA fighters to be able to step back and get back on the mat.”

    “make a little bit of money, have some fun, show off their wrestling skills.”

    “But also a really good option for the wrestlers who are still currently wrestling and trying to build something out of that.”

  • Real American Freestyle Drops Big RAF 02 Card

    Real American Freestyle Drops Big RAF 02 Card

    Big names like Alexandr Romanov, Mason Parris, Helen Maroulis, Kyle Dake, and Nathan Tomasello are but a few of the athletes locked in for competition at the Bryce Jordan Center on October 25th in Tampa, Florida. Real American Freestyle has formally rolled out the entire fight card for RAF02 which is set to broadcast on FOX Nation. The promotion’s inaugural effort in Cleveland earlier this year, Real American Freestyle is coming out swinign with the sophomore effort and the full card reads as followed,

    • Mason Parris vs. Alexandr Romanov
    • Nathan Tomasello vs. Roman Bravo-Young
    • Helen Maroulis vs. Samantha Stewart
    • Jake Varner vs. Pat Downey
    • David Carr vs. Amr Reda
    • Kyle Dake vs. Boris Makoev
    • Cayden Henschel vs. Keelon Jimison
    • James Green vs. Tajmuraz Salkazanov

    Real American Freestyle and a closer look at RAF 02

    Chief Operation Officer as well as Co-Founder of Real American Freestyle Izzy Martinez commented on this RAF02 reveal when he said,

    “RAF02 will build on the foundation created with RAF01, and give audiences the excitement they’ve been looking for with freestyle wrestling.”

    “We’ve got new and returning champions vying and protecting the title, and have created a lineup of the best athletes in the sport that cannot be missed.”

    Real American Freestyle has a deep roster of pedigreed champions from NCAA, Olympic, and world championship levels. Featured standouts such as Bo Nickal, Darrion Caldwell, Wyatt Hendrickson, Jacob Cardenas, Beau Bartlett, Kennedy Blades, Matt Ramos, Mikey Caliendo, Sarah Hildebrandt, Audrey Jimenez, Zeltzin Hernandez, Lucía Guzman, Zahid Valencia, Trent Hidlay, Seth Gross, Kyle Snyder, Aaron Brooks, Austin Gomez, Real Woods, Will Lewan, and Parker Keckeisen are among a few of the standouts who have competed in RAF so far.

    Nathan Tomasello puts his Bantamweight title on the line against Penn State alumni, Roman Bravo-Young. Helen Maroulis vs. Samantha Stewart is as high level of a matchup as you can make in the game of wrestling and encapsulates what RAF seems to want to embody.

  • Julianna Peña joins up with Real American Freestyle

    Julianna Peña is now part of the commentary team with Real American Freestyle. This news comes ahead of Roman Bravo Young and Nathan Tomasello being set to clash at RAF 02 on October 25th. Even more special guests and further matchups will keep getting announced for RAF 02. This sophomore event emanates from Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center which is in Tampa, Florida.

    Real American Freestyle now has multi-time UFC bantamweight champion Julianna Peña joining the RAF ranks for matside commentary as well as live analysis for the RAF 02 broadcast. The former multi-time 135 pound titleholder joins up with Bubba Jenkins, Kurt Angle, and Chael Sonnen, Peña is the latest standout titleholder to join the Real American team.

    Peña has the notable distinction of being the inaugural woman to win a season of The Ultimate Fighter. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ is listed as the number one contender in the UFC women’s bantamweight rankings. She is also number five in the UFC women’s pound-for-pound rankings. The promotion has also revealed that current RAF Bantamweight Champion Nathan Tomasello will clash with the two-time NCAA Division I champion Roman Bravo Young who is also an alum of Penn State.

    Julianna Peña and the importance of her RAF signing

    Following a notable inaugural effort in Cleveland, Real American Freestyle returns with a highly anticipated second card with co-founder and CEO of Real American Freestyle Chad Bronstein said,

    “Julianna is one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport, and will bring her unique expertise to our already incredible commentary team. We made a promise to feature the highest caliber fights, and NATO vs. RBY is another example of the legends that will be vying for the title at RAF02.”

    RAF 02 was initially set for Rec Hall but was since moved to Bryce Jordan Center to accommodate the sizable demand for this card. This all will be attached to a venue that has been home to 14 NCAA team titles as well as a litany of Olympic and world class competitors through the Nittany Lions.