Former and future UFC fighters will compete at the professional wrestling tournament RAF09 on May 30. Gable Steveson, who holds a 3-0 MMA record, will face Alexander Romanov, who has a 21-4 overall record including a 7-3 run in the UFC. The bout will be a freestyle wrestling match rather than an MMA contest. The matchup represents an unusual crossover between MMA and competitive wrestling. Details about the specific rules or format of the wrestling match are not provided in the announcement.
Two fighters with roots in both wrestling and MMA will collide outside the cage when Gable Steveson meets Alexander Romanov in a freestyle wrestling match at RAF09 on May 30.
The bout is not an MMA contest. Instead, it will be conducted under freestyle wrestling rules as part of the professional wrestling tournament RAF09, offering a rare crossover event between the combat sports and competitive wrestling worlds.
Steveson arrives with a 3-0 MMA record and an extensive amateur wrestling background that preceded his professional fighting career. The matchup marks a notable moment for the unbeaten prospect as he steps onto a wrestling competition platform against a seasoned MMA veteran.
Romanov, nicknamed King Kong, carries a 19-3-0 professional MMA record and represents Moldova. The 34-year-old heavyweight stands six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach and brings significant grappling experience to the encounter. His verified striking figures reflect a pressure-based style that prioritizes control over output, consistent with a fighter whose game is built around physical dominance.
Why it matters
- The event tests whether elite MMA grapplers can translate their skills directly onto a freestyle wrestling platform against a decorated wrestling background opponent.
- Steveson's 3-0 MMA record places him at an early stage of his professional career, making a high-profile wrestling appearance a significant visibility opportunity.
- Romanov's UFC tenure gives the event mainstream MMA recognition and raises the competitive stakes of what might otherwise be viewed as an exhibition.
- The specific ruleset and format for the freestyle match have not been fully detailed in the official announcement, leaving some question about the competitive structure.
