Hendrickson Dominates Parris at RAF 4, Issues Challenge to Paul Brothers; Romero Stuns in Return with Shutout Victory

Wyatt Hendrickson solidified his position as a preeminent heavyweight in American wrestling following a commanding performance at RAF 4, securing a technical fall over 2024 Olympian Mason Parris and subsequently calling out celebrity boxers Jake and Logan Paul for future encounters. The highly anticipated event, held on Saturday, showcased a blend of elite amateur wrestling and crossover bouts, with veteran mixed martial artist Yoel Romero delivering a stunning return to the mat after a two-decade hiatus, while David Carr added another professional fighter to his wrestling conquest list.

In the main event, Wyatt Hendrickson, the reigning 2024 NCAA champion, demonstrated why he is considered one of the sport’s brightest prospects. Entering the bout against Mason Parris, the U.S. representative for the upcoming Paris Olympics, Hendrickson carried the weight of high expectations, particularly after his impressive collegiate season that culminated in a historic victory over Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson in the NCAA finals. While his recent appearance at the World Championships saw him fall short of his ultimate goal, his performance at RAF 4 was a resounding statement of intent.

From the opening whistle, Hendrickson initiated a relentless offensive strategy. He secured a swift takedown, immediately putting Parris on the defensive. Parris, a formidable opponent with his own decorated collegiate career and Olympic qualification, managed a well-timed reversal to level the score at 2-2 in the first period. However, these would prove to be Parris’s only points of the match. Hendrickson’s pace and technical prowess were overwhelming, as he repeatedly attacked Parris’s legs, converting opportunities into quick takedowns. A pivotal moment arrived when Hendrickson executed another takedown, swiftly transitioning into a turn that garnered him four crucial points. This sequence rapidly escalated the score, culminating in a dominant 13-2 technical fall victory. The win not only underscored Hendrickson’s physical superiority but also served as a significant marker in his declared ambition to represent the United States at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, having now decisively defeated the current U.S. Olympian in his weight class.

Following his triumph and the securing of the RAF heavyweight championship, Hendrickson shifted his focus to potential future opponents outside the traditional wrestling circuit. Addressing the audience, he referenced a recent high-profile boxing match, stating, "I was watching some highlights this morning of a fight that happened yesterday on Netflix. I’ll tell you what that Jake Paul guy looked like he was shooting more double legs than he was doing boxing. I want to see that man here." Hendrickson’s challenge extended further, indicating an openness to face Jake Paul’s brother, Logan Paul, who boasts a significant background in high school wrestling before his foray into professional boxing and entertainment. "If not him, he loves going for heavyweights but his brother Logan [Paul], if he wants it, I’m right here. Always. Any time. Anywhere. I will be there," Hendrickson declared, signaling a potential crossover interest that could attract substantial mainstream attention to the sport of wrestling.

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The co-main event featured a remarkable return to competitive wrestling by Yoel Romero, the "Soldier of God," who, at 48 years old, stepped back onto the mat after more than two decades away. The former Olympic silver medalist and decorated mixed martial artist delivered a performance reminiscent of his prime against Pat Downey, a talented collegiate wrestler known for his aggressive style.

Romero showcased his enduring athletic ability and technical acumen from the outset. The Cuban phenom executed a masterful reversal into a powerful throw, immediately securing a takedown with exposure that put him up 4-0 by the end of the first round. Downey, despite his best efforts, found himself struggling to counter Romero’s calculated aggression and defensive solidity. Romero continued to apply pressure, extending his lead to 6-0 with a push-out and another takedown. The veteran’s relentless pursuit of points left Downey scrambling, ultimately unable to mount any significant offense. In a decisive moment, Romero, already firmly in control, propelled Downey towards the boundary before lifting him and executing another four-point throw, bringing the match to an abrupt end via technical fall with a dominant 12-0 scoreline.

Romero’s flawless performance, particularly given his age and extended absence from the sport, was widely lauded as an "unreal" display of skill and conditioning. The one-time Olympic silver medalist from the 2000 Sydney Games appeared to have lost none of his wrestling instincts. Post-match, Romero wasted no time in calling out UFC middleweight contender Bo Nickal, who was originally scheduled to face him at RAF 4 before being forced to withdraw. With a clear message, Romero stated his intentions for a future clash: "See you soon, boy. See you in Miami. Remember, Miami is my house. I am waiting for you in Miami. See you soon, boy." This sets the stage for a highly anticipated showdown at RAF 5, slated for Jan. 10 in Miami, pitting two generations of elite wrestlers with MMA backgrounds against each other.

Earlier in the evening, two-time NCAA champion David Carr delivered a clinical performance against top-ranked UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad, who accepted a challenge to cross over into the world of wrestling. Muhammad, known for his gritty fighting style and impressive striking in the octagon, faced an uphill battle against Carr’s specialized wrestling prowess.

Despite the significant odds, Muhammad displayed commendable effort and resilience, attempting to fend off Carr’s relentless takedown attempts. However, Carr’s superior speed, technique, and experience on the mat proved insurmountable. Carr repeatedly found success with a slick double-leg takedown, efficiently bringing Muhammad to the mat. While Muhammad managed to endure into the second period, Carr’s dominance was evident throughout the bout. He ultimately sealed his victory with another decisive takedown, securing a technical fall with a 10-0 shutout.

Following his victory, Carr expressed his desire to continue testing his skills against top-tier mixed martial artists, specifically calling out former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Usman, a decorated wrestler himself, was an NCAA Division II national champion at Nebraska-Kearney before embarking on a highly successful career in the UFC, where he reigned as champion for an extended period. A potential matchup between Carr and Usman would represent a compelling clash of wrestling pedigrees from different eras and combat sports disciplines.

The RAF 4 event also featured several other notable matchups that further highlighted the depth of talent in collegiate and freestyle wrestling. Kennedy Blades, a rising star in women’s wrestling, showcased her dominance with a 10-0 technical fall victory over Alara Boyd. In other significant bouts, Kadik defeated Dustin Plott in a competitive 11-7 decision, while Dean Hamiti secured a pinfall victory over Evan Wick. Parker Keckeisen overcame Zahid Valencia with a 10-2 decision, Trent Hidlay edged out Jacob Cardenas 5-3, and Jason Nolf delivered a shutout performance, securing a 10-0 technical fall against Andy Varela.

The full results from RAF 4 underscored a night of compelling wrestling, marked by dominant performances from established stars and emerging talents alike, alongside the intriguing spectacle of crossover challenges that promise to generate further interest in the sport’s evolving landscape.

Here are the full results from RAF 4:

MAIN EVENT: Wyatt Hendrickson def. Mason Parris, 13-2, tech fall
Yoel Romero def. Pat Downey, 12-0, tech fall
David Carr def. Belal Muhammad 10-0, tech fall
Kennedy Blades def. Alara Boyd, 10-0, tech fall
Kadik def. Dustin Plott, 11-7
Dean Hamiti def. Evan Wick via pin
Parker Keckeisen def. Zahid Valencia, 10-2
Trent Hidlay def. Jacob Cardenas, 5-3
Jason Nolf def. Andy Varela, 10-0 tech fall

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