Gable Steveson Wins RAF 09 Debut in Arlington

Real American Freestyle (RAF) held its ninth event on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas [1]. The card, which streamed live on Fox Nation, featured a heavy presence of current and former UFC athletes competing in wrestling matches [1].

Key takeaways

• Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson won his RAF debut against Alexandr Romanov via technical fall [3].
• Colby Covington defeated Chris Weidman 5-4 in the co-main event [2].
• Merab Dvalishvili secured a 12-1 technical fall victory over former UFC champion Frankie Edgar [3].
• The event featured a variety of wrestling bouts, including a technical fall victory for Arman Tsarukyan over Mugzy [2].

Star-studded wrestling showcase

The main event saw the debut of Gable Steveson, who defeated former PFL tournament finalist Alexandr Romanov by technical fall in the second round [2]. Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA Division I heavyweight champion, is scheduled to make his official UFC octagon debut on July 11 at UFC 329 [2].

In the co-main event, Colby Covington—who recently retired from UFC competition—faced former UFC Middleweight champion Chris Weidman [1]. The match ended in a 5-4 victory for Covington [2]. Elsewhere on the card, former UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili defeated Frankie Edgar by technical fall in the third round [3]. Other notable results included Kyle Snyder defeating Givi Matcharashvili via technical fall and Arman Tsarukyan securing a 16-5 technical fall win over Mugzy [2].

Why it matters

RAF 09 highlights a growing trend of high-profile combat sports athletes participating in wrestling-specific events during gaps in their professional fighting careers [3]. For athletes like Steveson, these matches serve as preparation for upcoming transitions into the UFC [2]. The event also provided a platform for retired or veteran fighters, such as Covington and Edgar, to remain active in a competitive environment outside of traditional mixed martial arts [1]. As the promotion continues to utilize Fox Nation for its broadcasts, it remains a notable side venue for established combat sports names to test their skills on the mat [3].