Gable Steveson to face Alexander Romanov in freestyle wrestling match

Alexander Romanov and Gable Steveson are set to meet in a professional freestyle wrestling match at RAF09 on May 30, stepping outside the MMA cage for a pure grappling contest between two fighters with strong UFC ties.

Romanov, known as "King Kong," is a 34-year-old heavyweight from Moldova who carries a 19-3-0 professional MMA record and spent time competing in the UFC. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he brings a well-documented wrestling pedigree to the mat. His transition to a freestyle wrestling format is a natural extension of the grappling base that has underpinned his career.

Steveson enters with a 3-0 record in MMA and his own decorated wrestling background, making him a credible opponent in a discipline that plays directly to his strengths. The matchup pairs two athletes whose careers have intersected with the UFC, though the contest itself will unfold on a professional wrestling card rather than under MMA rules.

Why it matters

• The bout is a notable crossover event, pulling two UFC-connected heavyweights into a pure wrestling format
• Romanov's 19-3-0 MMA record gives the matchup genuine competitive credibility beyond a novelty spectacle
• Steveson's unbeaten 3-0 MMA start and wrestling pedigree make him a legitimate challenger in this format
• The RAF09 card signals growing interest in standalone professional wrestling competitions featuring fighters from combat sports