Real American Freestyle (RAF) concluded its fourth event moments ago on Saturday night (Dec. 20, 2025) from Indianapolis, Indiana. In addition to a wealth of world-class wrestling talent, a couple well-known MMA names are usually in the mix, sometimes against each other and sometimes pitted against top-notch active wrestlers.
In the main event, 2025 NCAA champion Wyatt Hendrickson — the man who upset Gable Steveson earlier this year — faced off opposite 2024 US Olympian Mason Parris in an attempt
to defend his Heavyweight title. Hendrickson succeeded emphatically, winning 15-2 via tech fall. Afterward, he called out the Paul brothers.
The co-main event featured Yoel Romero’s RAF debut opposite Bellator slugger and accomplished international wrestler Pat Downey. Romero won an Olympic silver medal in wrestling, but that was all the way back in 2000. Downey was wrestling on the world scene much more recently and is 15 years younger, so you could be forgiven for expecting Romero to come up short in his return to the mat.
You would still be wrong though! Romero looked massive and absolutely dominated, securing a tech fall victory and shutting out Downey. Truly, “Soldier of God” is an ageless wonder. After the win, he called out Bo Nickal with a classic “See you soon boy!”
Unfortunately for former UFC Welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, he was matched up with an absolute stud wrestler, David Carr. The 26-year-old is not only a two-time D1 national champion, but he’s currently a member of the world US wrestling team. Unsurprisingly, Carr had his way with Muhammad, winning 10-0 via tech fall in the second period. Ironically, Muhammad also suffered an eye poke in the defeat.
Perhaps if they wrestled against a cage things would be a little more competitive, but that’s not the game!
RAF will return on January 10th with a headlining bout between All-American wrestler Colby Covington and retired UFC champion Luke Rockhold.
