Sports

RAF05 Delivers: Covington, Champions and Chaos

Published

4 months ago

January 11, 2026

Coach, Frank Mieses

Colby Covington Delivers at Home as RAF05 Showcases Olympic Pedigree, UFC Star Power and the Raw Energy of Unscripted Wrestling.

January 10th, 2026

If Real American Freestyle needed a night that fully defined what the promotion is becoming, RAF05 at Amerant Bank Arena delivered on every front. Olympic champions, NCAA legends, UFC headliners, and moments that reminded everyone this league is unscripted, unpredictable, and unapologetically real.

Broadcast live on FOX Nation, RAF05 unfolded in front of a loud and fully engaged South Florida crowd under the executive direction of Chad Bronstein, Izzy Martinez and Eric Bischoff. From the opening bout to the final walk-off, the energy never dipped.

Main Event: Covington Controls the Spotlight in His Backyard

The main card cruiserweight matchup featured two names instantly recognizable to MMA fans. Colby Covington defeated Luke Rockhold, leaning into the wrestling pedigree that helped launch his combat-sports career long before UFC main events and press conferences made him a household name.

Covington, a former NCAA Division I All-American at Oregon State and multiple-time UFC title challenger, set the pace early and kept it there. Rockhold, a former Strikeforce and UFC Middleweight Champion with a strong collegiate wrestling and judo background, brought size and experience, but Covington’s pressure dictated the match.

Adding to the moment, country music star Brantley Gilbert walked Covington to the mat, turning the arena into part wrestling event, part concert, and entirely Florida.

Photo courtesy of Real American Freestyle

After the win, Covington soaked in the hometown moment.

“It’s a dream come true,” Covington said. “To have all these fans out here is absolutely incredible. The South Florida fans really showed out and they showed that they really love wrestling out here. Thankful to Real American Freestyle. Thankful to Chad Bronstein, Izzy Martinez, Eric Bischoff, for putting this show on. I can’t wait for the next one.”

Championship Wrestling Backed by Hardware

Championship pedigree ran deep throughout the card.

Kyle Dake, a four-time World Champion and Olympic bronze medalist, defended his Cruiserweight Championship against Magomedkhabib “Kadik” Kadimagomedov, an Olympic silver medalist. The 10–7 decision reflected a measured, tactical bout between two wrestlers accustomed to performing on the world’s biggest stages.

“The first time I wrestled Kadik, I was putting a lot of pressure on myself,” Dake said. “I learned a lesson, being able to go out and wrestle every match like it’s the most important.”

At lightweight, Arman Tsarukyan, widely regarded as one of the UFC’s most technically sound wrestlers, dominated Lance Palmer, a two-time PFL Champion, via first-round technical fall.

Photo courtesy of Real American Freestyle

The Featherweight Championship rematch between Jordan Oliver and Real Woods delivered one of the tightest finishes of the night, with Oliver scoring the final point in a 3–3 decision.

Technical Falls, Crossovers, and Elite Résumés

Several bouts ended decisively, reinforcing the gap between elite freestyle specialists and crossover competitors.

Austin DeSanto captured the Bantamweight Championship with a technical fall over Nathan Tomasello, a former NCAA Champion.

Stephen Buchanan shut out Yoel Romero 10–0 via technical fall. Romero entered with one of the most decorated résumés in the building — Olympic silver medalist, former UFC Middleweight title challenger, and global combat-sports star.

Bo Bassett earned a technical fall victory over Cayden Henschel, then looked ahead respectfully.

“Too much respect to call him out,” Bassett said. “I think the fans would want to see a match with me and Henry Cejudo.”

Henry Cejudo, a 2008 Olympic gold medalist and former UFC Champion in two weight classes, was in attendance and welcomed the possibility, while noting he has a scheduled match beforehand.

Photo courtesy of Real American Freestyle

The Match That Didn’t Happen — and the Crowd Letting It Be Known

The anticipated bout between Bo Nickal and Yoel Romero was canceled after Romero missed weight.

Bo Nickal talks with Chael Sonnen after canceling his match with Yoel Romero who missed weight

During an on-stage conversation with Chael Sonnen, Nickal explained his refusal to compete under those circumstances. The crowd responded immediately with loud boos, clearly voicing disappointment at the missed opportunity.

Legends, Loud Cheers and MMA Nostalgia

The arena erupted when Kurt Angle, Olympic gold medalist and wrestling icon, walked onto the stage.

Photo courtesy of Real American Freestyle

Later, Michael Chandler ignited cheers by discussing a potential trilogy bout with Eddie Alvarez, whose previous clashes in Bellator MMA remain among the most celebrated fights in MMA history.

Photo courtesy of Real American Freestyle

Izzy Martinez summed it up perfectly.

“We got fantasy matchups, but they’re not fantasy because they’re damn near close to reality.”

What’s Next

Real American Freestyle returns February 28 with RAF06 at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona, featuring Henry Cejudo, Urijah Faber, Keegan O’Toole, Muhammad Mokaev, and more.

For more information, visit https://www.realamericanfreestyle.com and follow https://www.instagram.com/rafwrestlingusa/.

RAF05 was a collision of résumés, respect and reality and South Florida made sure every moment was heard.

Photo courtesy of Real American Freestyle
Photo courtesy of Real American Freestyle
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Bo Nickal talks with Chael Sonnen after canceling his match with Yoel Romero who missed weight
Photo courtesy of Real American Freestyle
Photo courtesy of Real American Freestyle
Photo courtesy of Real American Freestyle
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Photo courtesy of Real American Freestyle
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Photo courtesy of Real American Freestyle
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Photo courtesy of Real American Freestyle
Photo courtesy of Real American Freestyle
Photo courtesy of Real American Freestyle

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Coach, Frank Mieses

Coach is South Florida Insider's Owner, President, Webmaster, as well as a Reporter and Photographer covering events all over the world. Born in West Palm Beach, Coach continues to call the sunny Florida area home. He received his Associate degree from the University of South Florida, then transferred to the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Journalism & Communications. During his journalistic career, which has been featured in local newspapers and magazines as well as national publications, Coach has also continued his love of being an educator. It’s through both endeavors that he’s actively got students interested in following in the field of journalism. Coach loves sharing the world of entertainment with others and giving people the opportunity to step out of the everyday life.