Former Olympic gold medalist and current UFC fighter Gable Steveson will face former UFC heavyweight Alexander Romanov in a professional freestyle wrestling match at RAF09 on May 30. Steveson holds a 3-0 MMA record, while Romanov competed in the UFC with a 7-3 record before departing the promotion. The bout represents a crossover between MMA and professional wrestling, featuring competitors from different stages of their UFC careers. This matchup will take place at a Real American Freestyle wrestling event.
Gable Steveson and Alexander Romanov are set to collide in a professional freestyle wrestling match at Real American Freestyle's RAF09 event on May 30, marking an intriguing crossover between active MMA competition and the professional wrestling circuit.
Steveson brings a 3-0 MMA record to the bout and remains an active UFC fighter. The former Olympic gold medalist has built his combat sports reputation on elite wrestling credentials, and RAF09 represents a chance to showcase those skills in a pure wrestling format against a seasoned heavyweight opponent.
Romanov, known as "King Kong," arrives with a decorated mixed martial arts background of his own. The 34-year-old Moldovan heavyweight posted a 19-3-0 professional record across his MMA career, going 7-3 inside the UFC before departing the promotion. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Romanov is a physically imposing presence in the heavyweight division, and his combat sports experience makes him a credible opponent on the wrestling mat.
Why it matters
- The bout pits an active UFC heavyweight prospect against a recently departed UFC veteran, giving the matchup genuine competitive weight.
- RAF09 continues to blur the lines between MMA and professional freestyle wrestling, drawing fighters from different points in their UFC careers.
- A heavyweight wrestling showcase between two fighters with legitimate grappling pedigrees raises the profile of Real American Freestyle as a crossover platform.
The event is scheduled for May 30 under Real American Freestyle rules, with both competitors stepping outside their primary combat sports arena for the occasion.
