Former and future UFC fighters will meet in a professional freestyle wrestling match at RAF09 on May 30. Gable Steveson, who holds a 3-0 MMA record, will face Alexander Romanov, who has a 21-4 overall record and went 7-3 in the UFC. The matchup represents an interesting crossover between MMA and wrestling for both athletes. No location or additional card details were provided in the post.
Two fighters with roots in combat sports' grappling disciplines will collide outside the cage when Gable Steveson and Alexander Romanov meet in a professional freestyle wrestling match at RAF09 on May 30.
Steveson, who carries a 3-0 MMA record, makes the transition back toward his amateur wrestling background for the bout. The Olympic champion has been building his professional mixed martial arts career and brings an undefeated slate into this crossover contest.
Romanov, known as "King Kong," is a 34-year-old Moldovan heavyweight who stands six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach. The verified data shows him holding a 19-3-0 professional record. He spent time competing in the UFC, going 7-3 during that stretch, before departing the promotion. At 75 percent striking accuracy, Romanov has shown efficiency when he does engage on the feet, though his output in terms of volume has been minimal — a hallmark of a fighter whose game leans heavily on physicality and grappling-oriented pressure.
Why it matters
- Both men have MMA backgrounds, making this a genuine crossover event rather than a novelty exhibition
- Romanov's Moldovan wrestling pedigree meets Steveson's decorated amateur freestyle credentials in a format that suits both
- The result could influence the trajectory of either fighter's next move in MMA
No location or additional card details for RAF09 have been announced alongside the matchup. The bout is scheduled for May 30.
