Ali Akbar Rosady
Kyle Snyder, the distinguished Olympic champion in freestyle wrestling, is navigating a pivotal period in his career, marked by a third consecutive appearance with Renegade Action Federation (RAF) and preparations for Final X, where he aims to secure his berth at the upcoming Wrestling World Championships. Amidst these competitive demands, Snyder has articulated an evolving perspective on potential opponents, expressing an openness to unique, high-profile matchups that extend beyond the traditional wrestling circuit.
Snyder has consistently leveraged RAF as a platform to maintain competitive sharpness outside of major international tournaments. He has lauded the promotion for its role in elevating the sport’s visibility, attributing this to its capacity for staging high-profile events and orchestrating unique confrontations, frequently featuring prominent figures from combat sports organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). While Snyder had previously maintained a singular focus on competing against the world’s elite wrestlers, recent discussions surrounding potential opponents have prompted a nuanced shift in his stance, particularly regarding crossover bouts exclusive to the RAF framework.
Among the names recently floated as a potential opponent for Snyder is Brock Lesnar, the former UFC Heavyweight Champion and NCAA Division I Heavyweight Wrestling Champion. Lesnar, currently 48 years old, remains an athlete of considerable renown, despite his age and a significant hiatus from competitive wrestling. His career resume includes a dominant collegiate wrestling tenure culminating in the 2000 NCAA heavyweight title for the University of Minnesota, followed by a highly successful foray into professional mixed martial arts where he captured the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Lesnar also carved out an iconic career in professional wrestling with WWE, marked by multiple world championships and significant box office appeal.
Snyder acknowledged the suggestion of a match with Lesnar during an interview with MMA Fighting, stating, "I didn’t even think about this either but somebody brought it up—Brock Lesnar. I mean Brock’s pretty old so I don’t know about that either." Despite Lesnar’s age and prolonged absence from competitive wrestling, Snyder views such a contest primarily through the lens of fan engagement and sport promotion. "That would just be a match strictly for the fans, something interesting for them," Snyder explained. "Obviously, Brock’s a big, big star so I’d be interested in that just for the way that it would promote the sport." He further emphasized Lesnar’s broader appeal, noting, "I think Brock doesn’t have to wrestle me for that to help wrestling and RAF. He could wrestle anybody and it would bring a lot of people to the sport. I hope he does."
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Lesnar’s recent activities include a brief retirement from WWE before making a swift return. Historically, he has maintained tangential connections to the wrestling world, notably working with Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, a fellow alumnus of the University of Minnesota. Lesnar also famously issued an impromptu challenge to Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle during their respective active careers in WWE, underscoring his enduring competitive spirit. The feasibility and Lesnar’s genuine interest in returning to competitive wrestling, particularly against an athlete of Snyder’s caliber, remain speculative, yet the concept resonates with Snyder’s evolving perspective on promoting wrestling through high-profile matchups.
Another compelling name that has emerged in discussions is Josh Hokit, a rising heavyweight contender in the UFC. Hokit is slated to face Derrick Lewis on the highly anticipated UFC White House card, following a critically acclaimed performance against Curtis Blaydes that was widely regarded as a "Fight of the Year" candidate. Prior to his ascent in the UFC and a brief stint in the National Football League, Hokit established himself as an accomplished collegiate wrestler, earning All-American honors at Fresno State University.
Snyder expressed his admiration for Hokit’s multifaceted athletic background and his distinctive persona within the UFC. "I like it. I think it’s funny," Snyder remarked regarding Hokit’s outspoken behavior. "When I saw he was fighting [Curtis] Blaydes, his name sounded familiar so I looked him up and I’m like oh yeah, he wrestled at Fresno State. So I started watching some of his fights before and I was like I think he’s going to win. I thought he looked good. Just his hands, his movement and pace, I think he’s going to beat Blaydes and then he did."
The prospect of a matchup with Hokit also appeals to Snyder for its potential to captivate audiences. "That would be another match where it would be for the fans if Josh was interested," Snyder stated. "We could definitely wrestle but he’s a big star and I think he’s going to become event bigger after the White House card, especially if he wins and knocks out Derrick Lewis. I think [RAF] had mentioned they were already talking to him." RAF has reportedly expressed interest in collaborating with Hokit, suggesting that such a crossover bout could be a tangible possibility.
As a consistent fixture on the RAF roster, Snyder acknowledges the abundance of intriguing matchup opportunities available to him. However, despite his receptiveness to high-profile contests against figures like Lesnar or Hokit, the 30-year-old two-time Olympic medalist underscored that his paramount competitive ambition remains focused on a specific opponent: Abdulrashid Sadulaev.
Sadulaev, widely known as "The Russian Tank," represents Snyder’s most significant and enduring rival in international freestyle wrestling. Their encounters at the 97kg weight class have defined an era of the sport, producing some of the most anticipated and intensely contested matches in recent memory. Sadulaev claimed gold over Snyder at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021) and has historically held the upper hand in their World Championship clashes, creating a rivalry steeped in mutual respect and fierce competition.
Snyder articulated his ultimate aspiration: "Chael [Sonnen] always asks me who I want to wrestle after the matches and the match I really want is Abdulrashid Sadulaev. So whenever RAF is ready to set that up because that’s the one I want the most." This statement highlights that while crossover events offer significant promotional value, Snyder’s core competitive drive remains centered on overcoming his most formidable adversary.
Beyond Sadulaev, Snyder also mentioned other potential high-caliber opponents within the wrestling landscape. He cited Gable Steveson, the reigning Olympic Super Heavyweight gold medalist who has since transitioned to WWE, and Wyatt Hendrickson, an emerging collegiate star at 197 lbs (89kg) who would represent a significant challenge should he move up to Snyder’s 97kg weight class. These names underscore the depth of talent Snyder is willing to face, whether for sport promotion or the pursuit of competitive excellence.
Snyder’s immediate focus remains dual: navigating his commitments with RAF, which provide invaluable competitive experience, and successfully competing at Final X to qualify for the World Championships, where he aims to reaffirm his status as a dominant force in international wrestling. His openness to unique matchups reflects a strategic understanding of wrestling’s evolving landscape, balancing traditional competitive goals with opportunities to expand the sport’s reach and appeal.
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