Kyle Dake vs. Dean Hamiti Jr.: Full Circle Fight Set for RAF01

On August 30, Cleveland becomes the battleground for one of the most compelling matchups in American wrestling: Kyle Dake, the four-time NCAA champion and three-time World Champion, takes on rising star Dean Hamiti Jr. in a bout that blends legacy, momentum and personal history.

Real American Freestyle’s debut card is loaded, but this one hits different. One of the most decorated wrestlers in U.S. history faces off against a future contender who’s been building steam with every match. And standing in the corner? David Taylor—the man Dake once beat in a legendary NCAA final—now coaching the young gun trying to take him down.

Kyle Dake: The Legend Still Hunting

Kyle Dake isn’t done. He’s a three-time World Champion, two-time Olympic medalist and the only wrestler in NCAA history to win four titles at four different weights. But he’s still showing up to scrap.

Dake’s resume speaks for itself. His college run at Cornell is still one of the most dominant ever, capped by a win over David Taylor in a finals match that’s still talked about more than a decade later. He carried that dominance into freestyle, where he became one of the most feared competitors in the world. Brutal from short offense, lethal on the counter and nearly impossible to finish clean.

After falling short at FinalX in June, Dake isn’t mailing it in. He’s locked in on another Olympic run and Cleveland is the next step. He knows what this matchup means. Hamiti is young, dangerous and hungry. But Dake’s been here before. Many times.

And every time he steps on the mat, the expectations are the same. Control the pace. Shut down the chaos. Remind people who still owns the center.

Dean Hamiti Jr.: The Threat is Real

The Joliet native had a breakout season for Oklahoma State in 2024–25, capped by a win over Levi Haines in the NCAA finals. That alone would’ve made headlines. But Hamiti kept going. At the U.S. Open in Las Vegas, he took out Evan Wick in the finals and planted his flag as a legitimate freestyle contender. Then he went overseas and landed on the podium at the Ziolkowski Memorial in Warsaw.

Long, athletic and aggressive, Hamiti is a problem for anyone. He doesn’t wait for mistakes. He attacks early and often. And he’s not afraid to put points on the board. In a freestyle setting, he brings pressure in ways that can break rhythm and stretch opponents out of position.

He knows what’s coming. Dake’s chest wrap is one of the best in the game. His head pinch is dangerous. But Hamiti is already preparing to stay away from the danger zones and pick his spots. The goal isn’t to survive. It’s to win.

The Coaching Dynamic: Taylor vs. Dake, One More Time

There’s a layer here that can’t be ignored. David Taylor and Kyle Dake have gone to war on the mat more times than most athletes ever get the chance. Their rivalry defined an era. Now Taylor is on the other side of the whistle—coaching the kid trying to take Dake’s place.

Taylor, now in his first year as head coach at Oklahoma State, is already building a new powerhouse. And Hamiti is his flagship athlete. Their relationship is built on belief and momentum. Taylor sees what’s possible. Hamiti is proving him right.

Facing Dake is more than a test. It’s a full circle moment. Taylor game-planning for a guy he once battled for the top spot in American wrestling. Hamiti looking to take out one of his coach’s most respected rivals.

What to Watch For

• Opening pace: Hamiti loves to go early. Can Dake slow him down or will Hamiti get to his offense first?
• Positioning battles: Dake is elite when opponents extend. Hamiti will need to avoid overcommitting.
• Coaching cues: Watch the corners. Taylor knows Dake better than anyone. Every adjustment matters.
• Mat tactics: Dake doesn’t give up turns. Hamiti has to finish clean or work multiple attacks to break through.

The Stakes

For Dake, this is a statement opportunity. He’s still chasing another Olympic team. Still hungry. Still in the mix. A dominant performance reminds everyone that the chapter isn’t over.

For Hamiti, this is the biggest opportunity of his life. Beating Dake puts him in the conversation on a global scale. It proves he’s not just talented—he’s ready.

For Taylor, it’s a new chapter in an old story. From rival to mentor, he now gets to guide the next generation in a fight that would’ve sold out any arena on its own.