The RAF03 official line up has been announced and there are plenty of recognisable faces, even for those who don’t follow freestyle wrestling.
The promotion ‘Real American Freestyle-Wrestling’ was founded this year by Chad Bronstein, Terri Francis and the late, great, Hulk Hogan. Their debut event saw UFC middleweight contender, Bo Nickal, feature in the co-main event. He won, picking up the RAF Light Heavyweight Championship. This event also caught headlines as former UFC bantamweight champion, Holly Holm, competed on just a day’s notice, losing narrowly to Alejandra Rivera.
Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm just wrestled at #RAF01, stepping in last minute against Alejandra Rivera after Kennedy Blades was ruled out.
Middleweight (150 lbs): Alejandra Rivera takes the win over former UFC Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm at #RAF01. pic.twitter.com/BJe23eHdGO
— Saturday Night Lights (@WrestlingSNL) August 31, 2025
Their second event went down just two weeks ago, with the RAF Cruiserweight title on the line in the main event, which saw two-time Olympic bronze medalist Kyle Dake pick up the belt.
RAF03 is set to be the biggest card in the promotion’s history, going down on November 29th from Chicago, Illinois. The event will set them up for a big 2026, where it’s been reported that a weekly two-hour RAF television series will air.
RAF03 Card – Main Event
Headlining the event will be a middleweight (175lbs) match between former multiple-time UFC title challenger, bare knuckle veteran and combat sports maestro, Chad Mendes, taking on former Bellator lightweight champion, UFC title challenger and overall fan favourite, Michael Chandler.
Both men have an extensive background in wrestling, with Mendes being a former NCAA Division 1 collegiate wrestler before transitioning to MMA. Likewise, Chandler was crowned NCAA Division 1 All-American in 2009.
Both men are fiercely competitive, so expect a fun match-up.
Title Fights
Elsewhere, the vacant women’s featherweight belt is on the line as Kennedy Blades takes on Alejandra Rivera. Blades is new to the RAF promotion, however, with a silver medal in last year’s Olympics and a bronze medal in this year’s World Championships, don’t expect the moment to get to her. Rivera, as we know, competed in the first RAF event.
Real Woods, the RAF men’s featherweight champion returns to action to defend his belt as he talks on Jordan Oliver. Woods pinned Darrion Caldwell at RAF01 to win the belt and has stayed active, competing at the World Championships. Oliver has made the transition into MMA lately; however, has a fantastic wrestling base behind him.
Remainder of the Card
RAF03 will make history as Virginia Tech Hokies prospect, Bo Bassett, will make his debut at the event. This makes him the first active high school wrestler to compete for the promotion. Born in 2007, Bassett is a phenom who won the Junior Pan American Games in dominant fashion earlier this year. He takes on former Bellator bantamweight champion, Darrion Caldwell.
Current PFL light heavyweight champion, Corey Anderson will take on Pat Downey.
RAF have also described the match between Austin O’Connor and Austin Gomez as a ‘bloodline rivalry’. Taking to X, RAF said: “They’ve been battling since middle school. State finals. NCAA podiums. Every level. Now, they settle it once and for all.” This one promises fireworks!
The daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion, Frank Mir, Bella Mir will compete against Alexis Gomez. Mir has been competing in MMA and various grappling matches in recent years, whereas Gomez has no such experience.
UFC vet Clay Guida takes on Cayden Henschel, Olympic champion, Akhmed Tazhudinov clashes with under 23 World Champion, Anthony Cassioppi and Spencer Lee meets Andrii Yatsenko.
You can check out the full RAF03 card here:
