Nathan Tomasello defeats Matt Ramos, 4-3 to claim Bantamweight World Title

R1: 2–0 Tomasello | R2: 2–0 Tomasello | R3: 3–0 Ramos

The opening match of Real American Freestyle’s debut event delivered exactly what fans came for—high stakes, high-level wrestling and a historic finish.

In front of a packed and electric crowd at the Wolstein Center, Ohio native Nathan Tomasello defeated Matt Ramos to become the first ever Real American Freestyle Bantamweight World Champion. A four-time NCAA All-American and 2015 national champ for Ohio State, Tomasello showed why experience and positioning still matter at the highest level.

Staying Solid, Scoring Early

From the opening whistle, Tomasello controlled the pace. He stayed in strong position, hand-fought well and dictated ties. Ramos, known for his wild flurries and dangerous upper-body attacks, was kept off balance by Tomasello’s calculated pressure.

The difference-maker came when Tomasello got to his trademark lefty high-crotch, finishing clean and scoring the takedown that put him ahead. It wasn’t flashy, but it was clinical.

Ramos had a few windows to create chaos—especially late—but Tomasello never gave him the space. Instead of trying to match unpredictability with unpredictability, he stayed grounded, stayed tight and shut it down.

Hometown Energy, Veteran Focus

There’s no denying the crowd played a role. Tomasello, who grew up just outside of Cleveland in Parma, had the building behind him from the moment he walked out. The energy was loud, local and locked in.

When Ramos started to pick up motion in the final stretch, the volume inside the Wolstein Center spiked in response—fueling Tomasello’s final push to the finish.

Ramos Flashes, But Can’t Find the Moment

Ramos is a home run hitter. He’s made a career out of pulling off huge moves in big spots, like his iconic pin over Spencer Lee in the 2023 NCAA semifinals. But that style comes with risk. When he doesn’t land something explosive, he can struggle to find a rhythm.

That was the case here. Ramos had moments of movement and a few scramble attempts, but nothing that truly threatened to flip the match. Tomasello’s tight defense and short offense took away the danger zones before they could develop.

‍A Champion Is Crowned

With the win, Nathan Tomasello becomes the first Real American Freestyle World Champion at 135 pounds, a title that will forever be etched in the history books. His performance set the tone not just for the night, but for the league itself.

Veteran toughness. Elite discipline. Hometown pride. Tomasello delivered on all fronts.