# Gable Steveson Wins RAF 09 Debut in Arlington

**Published:** 2026-05-29T22:00:21.000Z  
**Topic:** Gold  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/7b9d9582-f7c2-4179-b91a-868250204881

Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson defeated Alexandr Romanov at RAF 09, an event featuring several former UFC stars in Arlington, Texas.

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].

## Sources
1. Mmajunkie — [Video: RAF 09 pre-event faceoffs with Covington vs. Weidman, Steveson, more](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/mma/2026/05/29/raf-09-press-conference-faceoffs-covington-vs-weidman-gable-steveson-debut/90320981007/)
2. Bloodyelbow — [Gable Steveson's RAF debut and Colby Covington vs Chris Weidman LIVE stream info, results and more from RAF09](https://bloodyelbow.com/2026/05/30/gable-stevesons-raf-debut-and-colby-covington-vs-chris-weidman-live-stream-info-results-and-more-from-raf09/)
3. Mmamania — [RAF 09 live stream results, discussion and video highlights | Gable vs. Romanov](https://www.mmamania.com/ncaa-wrestling-news-and-results/447320/raf-09-live-stream-results-discussion-and-video-highlights-gable-vs-romanov)
4. Tapology — [RAF 9: Steveson vs. Romanov | Event | Tapology](https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/141792-raf-9)
5. Dknetwork — [RAF 09: Steveson vs. Romanov Full Card, Start Time & How to Watch | DraftKings Network](https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2026/05/29/raf-09-steveson-vs-romanov-full-card-start-time-how-to-watch/)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "Gable Steveson Wins RAF 09 Debut in Arlington", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/7b9d9582-f7c2-4179-b91a-868250204881