Alejandra Rivera defeats Holly Holm, 9-7

Breakdown: R1: 4-0 Holm | R2: 9-2 Rivera | R3: 0-0

In one of the wildest and most unexpected moments of the night, former UFC Champion Holly Holm made her freestyle wrestling debut at RAF01—and nearly pulled off the upset of the event.

Originally slated to feature Kennedy Blades vs. Alejandra Rivera, the match was scrapped last minute due to NCAA compliance issues. RAF Co-Founder Eric Bischoff broke the news to a disappointed crowd in Cleveland. But what followed turned the atmosphere upside down.

Bischoff announced a surprise replacement: Holm. The crowd erupted. And what was supposed to be a cancellation became a viral moment in real time.

From Cage to Mat—Holm Almost Gets the Fall

Holm, who had never wrestled a competitive match in her life, stepped onto the mat with confidence. And when Rivera took a poorly timed shot early, Holm pounced.

In an instant, Holm pancaked Rivera to her back and nearly secured the fall. The crowd exploded. The MMA community lit up online. For a moment, it looked like Holm was about to do the unthinkable.

Rivera somehow fought off her back and scrambled free, but the tone had been set. This was a real fight.

Rivera Chips Away Late

After surviving the near fall, Rivera settled in. She started scoring with single points—counters, step-outs and smart mat control. Holm stayed aggressive, but her lack of experience showed when it came to finishing or working from the top position.

At one point, Holm forced double underhooks and tried to power Rivera over. But Rivera adjusted, timed it and launched a clean hip toss that scored big.

The match stayed tight. But Rivera’s steady scoring closed the gap and put her in front for good.

Coached by Kennedy, Backed by the Crowd

While Kennedy Blades couldn’t compete, she wasn’t far from the mat. Blades spent the match in Holm’s corner, coaching her through each sequence and keeping her locked in. It was a cool full-circle moment for fans who came expecting to see Kennedy compete.

Even with the loss, Holm earned massive respect—not just from the fans in Cleveland, but from the wrestling and MMA communities alike. Taking the match on one day’s notice and almost pinning an international-caliber opponent? That’s how you make an entrance.