Real American Freestyle announced its debut in another new market. The wrestling promotion hosts RAF 11 on Jul. 18 at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The event streams live exclusively on FOX Nation.
The move pushes RAF forward as it builds momentum. RAF delivers high-quality matchups and expands its reach with each event. Recent signings, announcements, and viral moments continue to grow its fanbase.
Real American Freestyle co-founder and CEO Chad Bronstein welcomed the Milwaukee and expressed excitement.
“Milwaukee is a market that knows wrestling well,” Bronstein said in a press release. “As we approach our one-year mark, we’re continuing to raise the bar – bringing the best athletes in the world together and building a platform that delivers for fans and the sport.”
Bronstein founded RAF alongside Israel Martinez and former pro wrestling executive Eric Bischoff. Each of them bring a distinct strength to the promotion, shaping the promotion’s broadcast quality, production value, and matchmaking.
The UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena seats 12, 700 and should create a great atmosphere. RAF has built momentum in recent months and now continues building toward its one-year anniversary event on Aug. 22 in Cleveland, Ohio.
UFC Hall of Famer Frankie Edgar Joins RAF
Frankie Edgar joins RAF as the latest UFC legend to return to competition. The former lightweight champion built a reputation for toughness and durability against larger opponents.
Edgar, 44, competed at lightweight before dropping to featherweight and later bantamweight, where he ended his career. ‘The Answer’ developed his wrestling base as an NCAA Division 1 wrestler at Clarion University of Pennsylvania.
Edgar meets former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili at RAF 09 on May. 30. Dvalishvili had been scheduled to face Henry Cejudo last month, but Cejudo withdrew due to an injury.
Edgar’s collegiate wrestling background could give him an edge, but Dvalishvili presents a serious opponent. ‘The Machine’ sets relentless pace and overwhelms opponents with his wrestling inside the octagon. It remains to be seen how that will translate to RAF competition.
The card features several matchups involving MMA stars. In the main event, Alexander Romanov takes on Olympic gold medalist and newest UFC signee Gable Steveson.
Colby Covington, unbeaten in RAF, meets former middleweight champion Chris Weidman. No. 2 ranked UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan will also return to face Mugzy. Covington and Tsarukyan had previously expressed interest in facing each other, but the matchup never materialized.
RAF Announce Exciting News Signings
Frankie Edgar joins a growing list of UFC stars to sign with RAF.
RAF also recently added Aaron Pico, Tony Ferguson, and reigning UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev to its roster. The promotion is not waiting very long to get them involved, as they will all debut within the next two months.
Ferguson and Pico will debut at RAF 10, while Chimaev awaits an official debut date. The No. 13 ranked UFC featherweight faces PFL veteran Lance Palmer, who brings a strong collegiate wrestling background.
Ferguson, meanwhile, faces Tsarukyan, who is staying active while he waits for a UFC lightweight title opportunity. RAF maintains a positive relationship with the UFC, allowing fighters to compete across promotions. The only reported restriction prevents active UFC fighters facing each other.
Real American Freestyle Announces RAF 11 Location