Former WWE star and Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson has signed a multi-match deal with Real American Freestyle (RAF). He is scheduled to appear at RAF 09 on May 30 in Dallas, Texas.
Deal and event details
RAF announced Steveson will compete at RAF 09 on May 30 in Dallas. The promotion says the match card will stream on Fox Nation. Steveson’s first RAF opponent has not been named yet. The promotion is reportedly targeting big names to face him, but no official opponents have been confirmed.
Real American Freestyle announcement about RAF 09 and streaming on Fox Nation
Steveson’s recent fighting history
Steveson won Olympic gold in freestyle wrestling at the 2021 Tokyo Games. He had a decorated college career with two NCAA titles and other podium finishes. After leaving WWE in 2024, he returned to competitive fighting. He holds a 3-0 record in MMA and a 1-0 record in Jon Jones’ Dirty Boxing promotion. Jon Jones has been named as a close friend and mentor to Steveson.
| Fighter | Recent Result |
|---|---|
| Gable Steveson | 3-0 (MMA); 1-0 (Dirty Boxing); Olympic gold (2021); NCAA: 1st (2021, 2022), 3rd (2019), silver (2025) |
| Wyatt Hendrickson | RAF Heavyweight Champion; beat Steveson in 2025 NCAA final, ending a 70-match streak |
Key rival and recent storyline
Wyatt Hendrickson is the reigning RAF Heavyweight Champion and is tied to Steveson’s recent story. Hendrickson defeated Steveson in the NCAA Championship final in 2025, ending Steveson’s 70-match winning streak in that competition. That result gives a natural storyline if the two meet again under the RAF banner.
RAF originally planned the show in Bahrain but moved the event closer to home because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. As of now, RAF has not released the full RAF 09 lineup or named Steveson’s opponent.
What to watch next
Fans should watch for official opponent announcements and the full RAF 09 card. Steveson’s move to RAF adds another chapter to a varied career that includes Olympic wrestling, a stint in WWE, and early success in MMA. The prospect of high-profile opponents and the possible rematch threads with Hendrickson make RAF 09 a notable event for wrestling and MMA fans.
