Former and future UFC fighters will meet in a professional wrestling match at the Real American Freestyle 9 event. Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, who holds a 3-0 MMA record, will face Alexander Romanov, who has a 21-4 overall MMA record including a 7-3 UFC run. The bout is scheduled for May 30. This represents a crossover between MMA and freestyle wrestling at the professional level.
A professional wrestling crossover event will bring together two fighters with MMA backgrounds when Gable Steveson and Alexander Romanov square off at Real American Freestyle 9 on May 30.
Steveson arrives at the event as an Olympic gold medalist and carries a 3-0 MMA record into the bout. His amateur wrestling pedigree is well established at the highest levels of international competition, making him a natural fit for a professional freestyle wrestling showcase.
Romanov, nicknamed "King Kong," is a 34-year-old Moldovan heavyweight standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach. He holds a verified MMA record of 19-3-0 and brings considerable experience inside professional combat sports competition. At 188 cm and with a frame built for grappling exchanges, Romanov represents a credible and physically imposing opponent for any wrestling-format matchup.
Why it matters
- The bout blends the worlds of MMA and professional freestyle wrestling, drawing an audience from both fan bases.
- Steveson's Olympic credentials and Romanov's professional MMA experience give the contest legitimate combat sports weight.
- A strong showing for either man could influence perception of their MMA futures at the heavyweight level.
Real American Freestyle 9 is scheduled for May 30, with this heavyweight clash serving as a notable crossover attraction on the card.
