Former and prospective UFC fighters Gable Steveson and Alexander Romanov will compete in a professional freestyle wrestling match on May 30 at RAF 09. Steveson holds a 3-0 record in MMA, while Romanov has a 21-4 overall record and went 7-3 during his UFC tenure. This will be a wrestling competition rather than an MMA bout, representing a crossover event between the two combat sports. Both athletes have ties to the UFC, with Steveson being a former signee and Romanov having previously competed in the promotion. The matchup brings together two heavyweight athletes from different combat sports backgrounds.
Alexander Romanov and Gable Steveson are set to meet in a professional freestyle wrestling match on May 30 at RAF 09, stepping outside the cage for a crossover competition between MMA and amateur wrestling.
Romanov, known as "King Kong," is a 34-year-old Moldovan heavyweight who carries a 19-3-0 professional MMA record. He spent time competing in the UFC, going 7-3 during his tenure in the promotion. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Romanov built his UFC reputation largely on his grappling credentials, making this wrestling format a natural showcase for his skill set.
Steveson enters the contest with a 3-0 record in MMA. The former NCAA and Olympic champion in freestyle wrestling has ties to the UFC as a previous signee, though he has not competed inside the promotion. His decorated amateur wrestling background makes him a formidable opponent in any grappling-based format.
Why it matters
- The bout is a wrestling competition, not an MMA fight, marking a genuine crossover event between the two combat sports
- Both men are heavyweights with UFC connections, giving the matchup mainstream MMA relevance despite the different ruleset
- Romanov's grappling-heavy MMA style will be tested directly against one of amateur wrestling's most celebrated recent champions
- The result could influence how both fighters are perceived heading into future MMA opportunities
