Real American Freestyle (RAF), the rapidly expanding professional freestyle wrestling league, is bringing its high-stakes action to Texas for the first time with RAF09 on May 30th. Hosted at the College Park Center in Arlington, this landmark event will feature the highly anticipated debut of Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson in the main event, alongside former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman making his RAF debut in the co-main event.
On May 30th, the 7,000-seat College Park Center, home to the WNBA’s Dallas Wings, will welcome RAF to the Lone Star State. This marks a significant expansion for RAF, tapping into one of the nation’s most enthusiastic markets for combat sports. Chad Bronstein, CEO and Co-Founder of Real American Freestyle, expressed enthusiasm for the league’s growth: “We’re thrilled to introduce RAF to Texas and a market that truly embraces major sporting events. The league’s momentum is undeniable, and we’re delivering unique matchups. Dallas will experience that excitement on May 30.”
The main event will showcase freestyle wrestling prodigy Gable Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist, as he steps onto the RAF mat for the first time in the heavyweight division. He will face Alexandr “King Kong” Romanov, a seasoned competitor known for his prolific MMA career and previous participation in RAF02, as well as Senior World and European freestyle wrestling championships.
In a highly anticipated co-main event, former UFC middleweight kingpin Chris Weidman will make his inaugural RAF appearance against Colby Covington. Covington, who maintains an undefeated record in the promotion following his victory at RAF07 over Dillon Danis, aims to extend his streak. Weidman, renowned for ending Anderson Silva’s legendary reign and defending his UFC title three times, brings an impressive amateur wrestling background as a two-time NCAA Division I All-American and Hofstra Hall of Famer. This matchup promises a return to wrestling roots for two elite athletes.
All RAF events are broadcast exclusively on FOX Nation. Additional matchups for RAF09 are expected to be announced shortly, with tickets going on sale later this week. Fans interested in early access can register for pre-sale at realamericanfreestyle.com.
RAF has quickly solidified its position in the combat sports landscape, cultivating a highly engaged fanbase within its first year. The league has redefined the fan experience through live events, Fan Zones, youth clinics, and collectibles, creating new avenues for the sport’s growth and attracting a new generation of athletes and enthusiasts. This innovative approach, combined with star-studded lineups and high-stakes contests, has propelled rapid digital expansion, generating over 200 billion earned media impressions and more than 250 million social views per event.
Looking ahead, RAF’s next event, RAF08, is scheduled for April 18 at Philadelphia’s Liacouras Center, featuring Henry Cejudo vs. Merab Dvalishvili as the main event, with Arman Tsarukyan vs. Urijah Faber in the co-main slot.
