The emergence of Real American Freestyle (RAF) has raised many questions within the world of combat sports. In just a few months, this new wrestling league has begun to attract well-known names from the MMA and especially from the UFC roster, something that has sparked curiosity among fans and analysts about who is really behind the project.
RAF is a competitive wrestling promotion founded in 2025 with the idea of creating a professional platform for wrestling athletes who have historically had few opportunities outside of the Olympic or college circuit. The project was born from the initiative of businessman Chad Bronstein along with well-known figures in sports entertainment such as Hulk Hogan and historic promoter Eric Bischoff, as well as renowned wrestling coach Izzy Martinez.
The goal of the league is to mix the television spectacle with the real wrestling competition, something that is reflected in its format of events and the type of athletes they are signing. Since its launch, RAF has managed to attract both Olympic wrestlers and MMA figures, which has created an unexpected bridge between the two worlds.
One of the most visible examples is Arman Tsarukyan. The lightweight contender from UFC has participated in several events of the organization and has become one of the most active names within the league. His fighting-based style makes him an ideal profile for this type of competition and his appearances have generated viral moments within the circuit.
Another name that has attracted attention recently is Khamzat Chimaev. The middleweight champion has also been linked to the project, which has further increased the conversation around RAF and its ability to attract top-level talent within combat sports.
The presence of UFC fighters at these types of events has also opened up an interesting debate within the MMA business. On the one hand, participating in wrestling competitions can help athletes stay active and improve their grappling between fights. In addition, their presence in other venues increases the media visibility of the fighters and keeps their names circulating among fans.
On the other hand, there are also concerns. Some sports observers wonder what would happen if a major UFC fighter suffered an injury competing in another league. In a sport where the cards depend so much on their stars, any physical unforeseen event could alter the organization's plans.
Meanwhile, RAF continues to grow little by little. With financial backing, television presence, and increasingly well-known names at its events, the new league is positioning itself as a curious meeting point between competitive wrestling and the MMA universe. What started as a new wrestling league is starting to attract some of the most recognizable wrestlers on the planet, and that has inevitably caused many MMA fans to start looking askance at what's happening outside the octagon.