Kyle Dake vs. Vladimer Gamkrelidze: The Champion and the Challenger

Few wrestlers in the world have accomplished what Kyle Dake has over the course of his career. The American standout has captured four World Championships, an Olympic Bronze Medal and built a reputation as one of the most technically complete wrestlers of his generation.

NCAA’s first wrestler to win four National Championships in four different weight classes is now 35 years old. He’s got plenty of tread left on the tires but has gone from “dangerous young guy” to veteran. It would be an understatement to say he’s simply “gotten better with time,” with recent wins over Dean Hamiti, Carter Starocci, Parker Keckeisen, Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov and more, Dake is still the guy to see in RAF’s cruiserweight division.

Standing across from him at RAF GEORGIA will be one of Georgia’s most promising competitors in Vladimer Gamkrelidze. Competing in front of a rowdy home crowd, Gamkrelidze will have the opportunity of a lifetime as he attempts to score the biggest victory of his career against one of the sport’s all-time greats.

While Dake enters the match with a significant advantage in experience, Gamkrelidze possesses the type of fearless style that has made him one of the most dangerous athletes on the international scene. Wrestling in front of his countrymen could provide an additional boost as he looks to pull off a monumental upset.

For the casual fan wondering if Gamkrelidze has the chops to hang with Dake, he’s already put together a career-defining resume defeating Vasyl Mykhailov, Zahid Valencia, Arman Avagyan and more.

Dake’s path to victory begins with controlling position. Throughout his career, few wrestlers have been as difficult to score on as the Cornell graduate. His ability to dominate hand-fighting exchanges, maintain strong positioning regardless of opponents’ pressure and force opponents into uncomfortable situations has been the foundation of his success at every level.

Dake will also need to dictate the pace of the match. When he is allowed to wrestle on his terms, he excels at slowing exchanges, capitalizing on mistakes and converting small openings into scoring opportunities. His patience and tactical discipline have frustrated some of the best wrestlers in the world spanning multiple eras.

For Gamkrelidze, the formula is much different. The Georgian standout will need to create action and force Dake into situations where the Olympic bronze medalist is unable to settle into his preferred rhythm. Be as disruptive as possible and take control of the offensive surge.

Gamkrelidze must also capitalize on every scoring opportunity. Against an athlete of Dake’s caliber, chances to put points on the board can be few and far between. Any opening, whether it comes from a leg attack, counter or step out opportunity, must be converted into points.

Should Dake get his hand raised, it’s yet another generation under his thumb but if Gamkrelidze completes the upset, the world will be on notice.