What Is RAF Wrestling?
RAF wrestling is Real American Freestyle, a professional freestyle wrestling league launched in 2025. Olympic, college and high school wrestlers compete alongside MMA fighters in one-on-one bouts with real scoring and real results.
The basics
- Founded: announced April 30, 2025 by Chad Bronstein, Izzy Martinez, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida.
- First event: RAF 01: Nickal Vs Cardenas, August 30, 2025, Wolstein Center, Cleveland, OH.
- Events so far: 16, next is RAF Abu Dhabi: Chimaev vs Covington on November 14, 2026. See the RAF schedule.
- TV and streaming: Fox Nation, exclusive in the US since July 2025 (how to watch).
How RAF rules work
Bouts are 3 periods of 2 minutes. A takedown scores 2 points, a step-out 1, and exposures 2 to 5. A 10-point lead ends the bout as a tech fall, a pin ends it right away, and there's no overtime: a tie after three periods goes to the last wrestler to score (criteria). Full detail on the RAF rules page.
Who wrestles in RAF
The roster mixes Olympic and world medalists, NCAA champions, high school stars and crossover MMA fighters. The most active wrestlers so far: Arman Tsarukyan (8-1), Jason Nolf (7-1), Kennedy Blades (6-0), Kyle Dake (6-0), Pat Downey (2-4), Cayden Henschel (3-2), Colby Covington (5-0), Johnni DiJulius (2-3).
RAF champions
Current undisputed champions include Wyatt Hendrickson (Heavyweight), Kyle Snyder (Light Heavyweight), Kyle Dake (Cruiserweight), Jason Nolf (Middleweight), David Carr (Welterweight), Real Woods (Featherweight). RAF also has crossover titles for MMA fighters. See all RAF champions.
Pay and betting
Amateur wrestling doesn't allow athletes to be paid. RAF does, but doesn't publish salaries; contracts can include show and win money. Since November 2025, RAF bouts can be bet on through a data deal with ALT Sports Data.
Background facts from Wikipedia's Real American Freestyle article (checked October 25, 2026). Records, results and champions are updated automatically.
Frequently asked questions
What is RAF wrestling?
RAF (Real American Freestyle) is a professional freestyle wrestling league launched in 2025. Wrestlers and crossover MMA fighters compete in one-on-one bouts of three two-minute periods, won on points, by a 10-point tech fall or by a pin. It has held 16 events so far.
What does RAF stand for?
RAF stands for Real American Freestyle.
Who founded RAF wrestling?
RAF was founded by Chad Bronstein, Izzy Martinez, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff, and announced on April 30, 2025. Hogan died in July 2025, before the first event. Bronstein is CEO, Martinez COO and Bischoff chief media officer. The league is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.
Is RAF wrestling real or scripted?
RAF bouts are real, competitive freestyle wrestling, scored under modified UWW and USA Wrestling rules. They are not scripted entertainment wrestling. Results are decided by points, tech falls, pins or injury defaults.
How much do RAF wrestlers get paid?
RAF doesn't publish salaries. Contracts can include show money and win money. One reported example is Abdulrashid Sadulaev at $100,000 per match plus $100,000 per win. NCAA wrestlers can earn NIL money through a USA Wrestling partnership.
Where can I watch RAF wrestling?
RAF streams live on Fox Nation in the US. See how to watch RAF for start times in ET, PT, UK and CET.