Former and future UFC fighters will compete at the professional freestyle wrestling tournament RAF09 on May 30. Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, who holds a 3-0 MMA record, will face Alexander Romanov, a heavyweight with a 21-4 overall record and 7-3 UFC record. This marks a rare crossover between MMA fighters competing in a professional wrestling context. The bout represents a significant matchup between an accomplished wrestler transitioning to MMA and an established UFC heavyweight.
Two fighters with strong combat sports pedigrees are set to clash outside the Octagon, as Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson and UFC heavyweight Alexander Romanov have been booked to compete at RAF09, a professional freestyle wrestling tournament scheduled for May 30.
Romanov, nicknamed "King Kong," is a 34-year-old Moldovan heavyweight standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach. The verified AgentMMA database lists his record at 19-3-0. A physical and imposing presence, Romanov has built his reputation through relentless pressure and a striking accuracy that sits at a remarkable 75 percent, a figure that underscores his precision even at low output volumes.
Steveson enters the matchup as one of the most decorated amateur wrestlers in recent memory, having claimed Olympic gold before transitioning to mixed martial arts. He carries an undefeated 3-0 MMA record into this appearance, and RAF09 represents a return to his competitive roots in freestyle wrestling.
Why it matters
- The bout is a rare crossover event, placing two active or emerging MMA competitors inside a professional wrestling competition format rather than a traditional cage or ring.
- Steveson's elite freestyle wrestling credentials will be directly tested against an experienced UFC-level heavyweight in Romanov, giving both men meaningful exposure in a different competitive arena.
- A strong showing for either fighter could carry momentum back into their respective MMA trajectories heading into the second half of 2026.
