Former and future UFC fighters Gable Steveson and Alexander Romanov will compete in a professional freestyle wrestling match at RAF09 on May 30. Steveson holds a 3-0 MMA record while Romanov is 21-4 overall with a 7-3 UFC record. This represents an unusual crossover event between MMA fighters competing in pure wrestling. The match brings together an Olympic wrestling champion in Steveson with an experienced UFC heavyweight in Romanov. Details about weight class or specific rules were not provided in the announcement.
Gable Steveson and Alexander Romanov are set to meet in a professional freestyle wrestling match at RAF09 on May 30, stepping outside the cage for a pure grappling contest between two heavyweights with MMA backgrounds.
Romanov, a 34-year-old Moldovan heavyweight who fights out of the UFC, carries a verified record of 19-3-0 and has built a reputation as a powerful, technically sound competitor. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, "King Kong" has been a consistent presence in the UFC's heavyweight division and brings legitimate combat sports experience into this crossover format.
Steveson enters the match with a 3-0 MMA record and an accomplished wrestling pedigree, including Olympic gold, making him one of the most decorated amateur grapplers to transition toward professional fighting. The bout represents a rare opportunity to see his elite wrestling tested against a seasoned combat sports veteran in a rules environment that plays directly to his core skill set.
Why it matters
- The match places two heavyweight fighters from different stages of their MMA careers in a format that strips away striking, putting raw wrestling at the center
- A win for Romanov would demonstrate that UFC-level heavyweights can compete with elite amateur wrestling champions on the mat
- Steveson's performance could shape expectations ahead of any future MMA commitments
- Specific rules, weight class, and scoring format have not been announced, leaving key variables open ahead of the May 30 event
