Ali Akbar Rosady
Sunrise, Florida – The Amerant Bank Arena was the epicenter of elite combat sports on Saturday night, hosting RAF 5, a premier wrestling event headlined by a highly anticipated clash between UFC welterweight Colby Covington and former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold. The card, broadcast live on FOX Nation at 8 p.m. ET, brought together a diverse roster of collegiate wrestling phenoms, Olympic medalists, and mixed martial arts veterans, all competing under pure wrestling rules.
The main event saw Colby Covington, known for his relentless pressure and exceptional cardio in the UFC octagon, return to his foundational discipline against Luke Rockhold, a fighter recognized more for his striking and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but with a solid wrestling background. Covington, a former NCAA Division I All-American from Oregon State University, entered the wrestling match with a specific focus on demonstrating his pure grappling prowess. His last competitive combat sports outing was a third-round knockout loss to Joaquin Buckley on December 14, 2024, a result he undoubtedly sought to rebound from with a dominant performance on the wrestling mat. Prior to this, Covington had maintained a formidable presence in the UFC’s welterweight division, challenging for the title multiple times and showcasing his suffocating wrestling-heavy style against top contenders. His record in the UFC stands at 17 wins and 4 losses, with a significant portion of his victories coming via decision, often attributed to his superior wrestling control.
Luke Rockhold, a former Strikeforce and UFC Middleweight Champion, presented an intriguing challenge. While his recent foray into Misfits Boxing in August saw him suffer a knockout loss to Darren Till, Rockhold’s core martial arts skillset has always included strong defensive wrestling and dangerous submission grappling. Rockhold wrestled in high school and has utilized his grappling extensively throughout his MMA career, often transitioning from takedowns to submissions. His transition back to a pure wrestling format for RAF 5 was a test of his adaptability and fundamental grappling skills against one of MMA’s most dedicated wrestlers. Rockhold’s professional MMA record is 16 wins and 7 losses, with a notable number of submission victories. Observers were keen to see how his more submission-oriented grappling would fare against Covington’s grind-heavy, positional wrestling. Speaking before the event, Rockhold expressed confidence in his conditioning and technical ability, stating, "This isn’t about my last fight in a boxing ring. This is about proving my grappling is still among the best, and I’m ready for Colby’s pace." Covington, true to form, had offered his usual pre-fight bravado, remarking, "Rockhold is stepping into my world now. He’ll learn what true American wrestling dominance feels like."
The co-main event delivered another high-stakes wrestling spectacle, pitting three-time NCAA Division I champion Bo Nickal against Olympic silver medalist Yoel Romero. Bo Nickal, a Penn State wrestling legend, has been rapidly ascending in the MMA world since transitioning from amateur wrestling, maintaining an undefeated professional record. His collegiate career was marked by dominant performances and multiple national titles, establishing him as one of the most decorated American amateur wrestlers of his generation. Nickal’s wrestling style is characterized by explosive takedowns, powerful control, and a relentless pursuit of pins. This match at RAF 5 was an opportunity for Nickal to test his pure wrestling against an iconic figure in the sport.
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Yoel Romero, an Olympic silver medalist for Cuba in freestyle wrestling, brought a lifetime of elite-level grappling experience to the mat. Known as "The Soldier of God," Romero’s physical prowess and explosive power made him a formidable opponent throughout his storied UFC career, where he was a multiple-time middleweight title challenger. Despite being in the later stages of his career, Romero’s wrestling credentials remain undisputed, and his ability to generate power from unconventional positions makes him a dangerous opponent for anyone. The matchup was seen as a generational clash: Nickal representing the pinnacle of modern American collegiate wrestling, while Romero embodied the powerful, often unpredictable style of international freestyle wrestling. Analysts speculated on whether Nickal’s youthful exuberance and technical precision would overcome Romero’s veteran savvy and raw power. Romero, in a rare pre-fight statement, simply said, "Bo Nickal is a strong young man. I respect his wrestling. But the Olympic spirit is different."
Arman Tsarukyan, a rising contender in the UFC’s lightweight division, made his RAF debut on the main card against Lance Palmer, a multiple-time PFL featherweight champion. Both fighters are renowned for their strong wrestling foundations within their respective MMA careers. Tsarukyan, hailing from Armenia, has showcased exceptional wrestling and grappling control in his UFC bouts, often dictating the pace and location of his fights through takedowns and positional dominance. His rapid ascent in the UFC lightweight ranks is largely attributed to his well-rounded skill set, with wrestling being a significant component.
Lance Palmer, a four-time NCAA Division I All-American from Ohio State University, has built a career in MMA on the back of his suffocating wrestling. As a PFL champion, Palmer has consistently demonstrated his ability to control opponents on the mat, grinding out victories through superior grappling. This pure wrestling contest at RAF 5 provided an intriguing stylistic matchup, with both fighters possessing high-level offensive and defensive wrestling skills. The bout was expected to be a technical chess match, with each competitor vying for dominant positions and scoring opportunities. Palmer commented, "Arman is a tough guy, very good on the ground. But I’ve been doing this my whole life, pure wrestling is where I excel."
The undercard featured a roster stacked with decorated wrestlers, promising high-caliber grappling action throughout the night. Notable matchups included:
- Kyle Dake vs. Mahamedkhabib Kadzimahamedau: This highly anticipated bout pitted two of the world’s most elite freestyle wrestlers against each other. Dake, a multiple-time World Champion and Olympic medalist for the United States, is known for his impenetrable defense and calculated offense. Kadzimahamedau, an Olympic silver medalist for Belarus and a World Champion, brings a dynamic and powerful style to the mat. Their encounter was a clash of titans, showcasing the pinnacle of international freestyle wrestling.
- Jordan Oliver vs. Real Woods: Two highly respected collegiate and international wrestlers, Oliver (an NCAA champion) and Woods (a multi-time NCAA All-American), squared off in a contest expected to be fast-paced and technically intricate.
- Zahid Valencia vs. Nate Jackson: Zahid Valencia, a two-time NCAA champion from Arizona State, known for his explosive attacks, faced Nate Jackson, a formidable competitor with a strong collegiate background and a burgeoning MMA career.
- Nathan Tomasello vs. Austin DeSanto: This match brought together two fan-favorite collegiate wrestlers, both known for their aggressive, high-scoring styles and relentless pace, promising an exciting, back-and-forth battle.
- Bo Bassett vs. Cayden Henschel: Representing the next generation of wrestling talent, Bassett and Henschel, both highly touted prospects, showcased their skills in an early card matchup.
- Pat Downey vs. Stephen Buchanan: Pat Downey, known for his charismatic and often controversial personality alongside his formidable wrestling skills (NCAA All-American), competed against Stephen Buchanan, a strong collegiate performer and NCAA finalist.
- Pat Lugo vs. Johnni DiJulius: Both NCAA All-Americans, Lugo and DiJulius brought their well-honed techniques to the mat in a competitive bout.
- Mugzy vs. Georgio: This bout featured emerging talents, providing an opportunity for them to gain exposure on a major wrestling platform.
- Mostafa Elders vs. Steve Mocco: The heavyweight division was represented by Mostafa Elders and Steve Mocco. Mocco, an Olympian and multiple-time NCAA champion heavyweight, is a powerful force, and his presence on the card added significant heavyweight grappling prestige.
RAF 5 solidified its position as a significant platform for showcasing high-level wrestling, bridging the gap between collegiate, international, and mixed martial arts grappling disciplines. The event provided a unique opportunity for fighters to compete in a pure wrestling format, testing their fundamental skills against top-tier opponents and offering fans a deep dive into the technical intricacies of the sport.
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