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 MMA record and went 7-3 in the UFC. This represents an interesting crossover bout between a wrestling phenom who briefly competed in MMA and a UFC veteran heavyweight returning to wrestling competition. The post does not provide additional context about the wrestling ruleset or weight class for the match.
Two fighters from different chapters of the heavyweight division will collide outside the cage when Gable Steveson and Alexander Romanov meet in a professional freestyle wrestling match at RAF09 on May 30.
Romanov, known by his nickname "King Kong," is a 34-year-old Moldovan heavyweight who compiled a 19-3-0 professional MMA record across his career. He spent time competing in the UFC, where he built a reputation as a physical, imposing presence in the division. At six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Romanov has the frame typical of an elite heavyweight. His verified striking accuracy of 75 percent reflects a calculated, selective approach inside the cage.
Steveson brings a contrasting profile. The American holds a 3-0 MMA record and is widely regarded as one of the most decorated amateur wrestlers of his generation before making moves toward professional combat sports. His transition has taken him through brief MMA competition, and this bout marks another crossover appearance, this time on the mat rather than inside the cage.
Why it matters
- Romanov is a UFC-tested heavyweight stepping back into a wrestling context, adding credibility to the event
- Steveson's wrestling pedigree makes this a legitimate competitive matchup rather than a novelty exhibition
- The bout bridges MMA and professional wrestling competition, a format that remains relatively rare at this level
- No details about the specific ruleset or weight class have been confirmed, leaving key competitive parameters open
