Michael Chandler does not have a UFC fight booked for the remainder of 2025.
But the No. 12-ranked lightweight contender is not about to sit home and twiddle his thumbs while the rest of the division put in work, which is why “Iron” has inked a main event showdown opposite former UFC featherweight title challenger, Chad Mendes, for the Real American Freestyle (RAF) 3 headliner on Nov. 29 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
“Bringing Chandler Mendes to the RAF mat is a full-circle moment for wrestling,” said
Chad Bronstein, CEO and co-founder of Real American Freestyle. “These are world-class fighters who never lost their connection to the sport that made them. This matchup proves what RAF is all about – giving elite athletes a platform to come home and remind the world where greatness begins.”
In partnership with USA Wrestling, UFC athletes are permitted to compete regardless of contractual status, which is how RAF was able to recruit and sign fellow collegiate wrestling standout, Bo Nickal, earlier this year. Nickal defeated Jacob Cardenas as part of the RAF 1 event last August in Cleveland and is likely to return following his UFC 322 fight next month in New York City.
Julianna Pena, Holly Holm, and Chael Sonnen, among others, are also RAF athletes.
Chandler, 39, is an All-American wrestler and a two-time Big 12 Championship runner-up from the University of Missouri with 100 career wins. As for the 40 year-old Mendes, also an All American wrestler, he captured the Pac-10 conference championship in 2008 and was a NCAA Division I runner-up.
“For the first time, wrestlers have real options after college. RAF gives them a new lane to compete, get paid and keep doing what they love, ” said Izzy Martinez, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Real American Freestyle. “Having legends like Mendes and Chandler join the roster shows how powerful that opportunity is.”
The full RAF 3 lineup is expected in the coming days.
