Real American Freestyle returns on May 30 with one of its most recognizable cards to date, headlined by Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson making his promotional debut against UFC heavyweight Alexandr Romanov.
The event takes place at College Park Center at the University of Texas in Arlington. RAF continues to lean heavily into crossover appeal between wrestling and MMA, and the latest lineup features several active and former UFC names.
Gable Steveson headlines stacked RAF 09 card
Steveson enters RAF with major expectations following his decorated amateur wrestling career and recent move into combat sports. His matchup against Romanov gives fans an immediate test against a physically imposing grappler with extensive MMA experience.
The card also includes another appearance from UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan. He opens the event in a middleweight matchup against Keelon Jimison. Tsarukyan has become one of the more active names attached to RAF after previously defeating Urijah Faber at RAF 08 in Philadelphia.
Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington is also set to compete in a catchweight contest against Chris Weidman. It marks Covington’s first appearance since stepping away from MMA competition.
Elsewhere, UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili faces Frankie Edgar in a lightweight contest. RAF light heavyweight champion Kyle Snyder will defend his title against Givi Matcharashvili.
How to watch RAF 09
Fans in the United States can stream the event exclusively on Fox Nation. International viewers are also expected to have access through the official RAF YouTube channel, which previously aired the full RAF 08 event.
RAF 09 begins at the following times:
- 8:00 PM ET
- 5:00 PM PT
- 1:00 AM BST
Full RAF 09 fight card
- Heavyweight: Gable Steveson vs. Alexandr Romanov
- Catchweight: Colby Covington vs. Chris Weidman
- Light Heavyweight Title: Kyle Snyder vs. Givi Matcharashvili
- Lightweight: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Frankie Edgar
- Featherweight: Ibragim Ilyasov vs. Real Woods
- Middleweight: Christopher Minto vs. Jason Nolf
- Cruiserweight: Parker Keckeisen vs. Georgios Kougioumtsidis
- Lightweight: Zain Retherford vs. Antrell Taylor
- Lightweight: Ridge Lovett vs. Bajrang Punia
- Women’s Catchweight: Cameron Guerin vs. Lucia Yepez
- Middleweight: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Keelon Jimison