A professional wrestling match between Gable Steveson and Alexander Romanov has been announced for RAF09 on May 30th. Steveson holds a 3-0 record, while Romanov comes in with a 21-4 overall MMA record and a 7-3 UFC record. The bout will feature a former UFC fighter in Romanov facing Steveson, who is described as a future UFC fighter. This represents a crossover event bringing together combat sports athletes in a professional freestyle wrestling format. Details about the location and other card matchups were not provided in this announcement.
Combat sports promoter RAF09 has announced a professional freestyle wrestling match between Gable Steveson and Alexander Romanov, scheduled for May 30th. The crossover event brings together a decorated amateur wrestling standout and a veteran MMA heavyweight in a non-MMA format.
Alexander Romanov, known by his nickname "KING KONG," enters the bout with a verified record of 19-3-0. The 34-year-old Moldovan heavyweight stands six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach and has built his reputation inside the UFC octagon as a grappling-heavy competitor. His striking accuracy sits at a remarkably high 75 percent, reflective of a fighter who picks his shots carefully rather than throwing in volume. Romanov is described as a former UFC fighter for this engagement, stepping outside MMA competition to take on a wrestling challenge.
Steveson enters with a 3-0 professional wrestling record and is described in the announcement as a future UFC fighter, lending the matchup a promotional dimension that spans both the pro wrestling and MMA worlds.
Why it matters
- Romanov's MMA grappling credentials give him credible standing in a freestyle wrestling format, though the ruleset will differ significantly from his UFC experience
- Steveson's unbeaten wrestling record and UFC aspirations make this a high-profile crossover appearance for a prospect still building his combat sports profile
- The bout adds to a growing trend of MMA fighters and combat athletes crossing over into professional and freestyle wrestling events
- No location or undercard details have been confirmed alongside the announcement
