Real America Freestyle made an exciting announcement regarding their upcoming milestone. The wrestling promotion officially announced that it will host RAF 12 on Aug. 22. It will take place at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, and stream exclusively on FOX Nation.
RAF 12 marks the one-year anniversary, a significant milestone for the wrestling promotion. Chad Bronstein, Israel Martinez, and former WWE executive Eric Bischoff launched the league last year.
In a short time, RAF has built a strong reputation within the wrestling and MMA communities. Its events feature Olympic medalists, World champions, NCAA National champions, and current UFC fighters.
The league also allows wrestlers to show their personalities to a wider audience.
Notable competitors who have appeared include, Colby Covington, Yoel Romero, Michael Chandler, and Henry Cejudo. RAF provides a viable outlet for amateur wrestlers and even MMA fighters to remain active and compete.
Co-Founder Chad Bronstein Opens Up About One Year Anniversary
RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein shared his thoughts on the league’s one-year milestone.
Bronstein said the promotion has begun to realize its vision after a year of growth. From the start, the team aimed to build a true unscripted professional wrestling promotion and they have delivered. There has been many surprises and entertaining matchups.
“This is a milestone moment for RAF,” Bronstein said in a press release. “We started this league to give wrestling a true professional home, and one year later, we’re seeing that vision come to life in a big way.”
As a Cleveland native, Bronstein has seen the city’s strong wrestling culture up close. He pointed to the city’s growing demand for wrestling and its role as host of the upcoming NCAA Wrestling Championships. That strong support helped drive RAF to choose Rocket Arena for this milestone event.
“There is no better place to celebrate [RAF 12] than Cleveland, where it all began, in front of one of the most passionate wrestling communities in the country,” Bronstein said.
Upcoming RAF Events
RAF’s next two events feature notable matchups. RAF 07 will take place at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida on Mar. 28.
The main event showcases a rematch between Georgio Poullas and UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan. Their first matchup ended in a brawl after Tsarukyan struck Poullas on the ground.
In the co-main event, Dillon Danis makes his debut against former interim UFC welterweight champion Colby Covington. Both competitors have polarizing reputations which could shape crowd reactions.
Covington may hold an advantage due to his wrestling background. Danis, a jiu-jitsu specialist, must adjust his approach.
The next day, the league launches its first new wrestling clinic event. These clinics give young wrestlers a chance to train with RAF athletes.
RAF 08 takes place on Apr. 18 at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The main event features a matchup between former UFC bantamweight champions Merab Dvalishvili and Henry Cejudo.
Dvalishvili and Cejudo faced each other in the UFC, where ‘The Machine’ earned a unanimous decision. Despite that loss, Cejudo may have the edge in freestyle wrestling. He is a 2008 Olympic gold medalist with elite credentials.
‘Triple C’s showed his high-level wrestling in a dominant win over UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber.
RAF Announces Venue for One-Year Milestone Event