Former Olympic gold medalist and UFC prospect Gable Steveson will face former UFC heavyweight Alexander Romanov in a professional freestyle wrestling match. The bout is scheduled for May 30 at the RAF09 event. Steveson holds a 3-0 record in wrestling competition, while Romanov brings an overall MMA record of 21-4, including a 7-3 run in the UFC. This represents a crossover match between two athletes with UFC connections competing in pure wrestling.
A crossover wrestling contest between two fighters with UFC ties has been made official, with Gable Steveson and Alexander Romanov set to meet in a professional freestyle wrestling match on May 30 at the RAF09 event.
Steveson, a former Olympic gold medalist and long-touted UFC heavyweight prospect, enters the bout with a 3-0 record in wrestling competition. He has yet to make his MMA debut but has been linked to the UFC for several years, making this bout a notable step in his combat sports career.
Romanov, known by his nickname "King Kong," is a 34-year-old Moldovan heavyweight who brings significant grappling pedigree from the MMA world. According to verified data, his professional MMA record stands at 19-3, with a career built on physicality in the heavyweight division. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Romanov has the size and experience to make this a credible wrestling contest.
Why it matters
- The match pits an elite amateur wrestling background against seasoned MMA grappling experience at the heavyweight level.
- For Steveson, the bout offers high-profile competition and continued exposure ahead of a potential MMA debut.
- For Romanov, a strong showing against a decorated Olympic champion would carry meaningful credibility in the combat sports community.
- The crossover format adds to a growing trend of MMA fighters and combat sports athletes competing across disciplines.
