RAF03: A Landmark Night in Chicago

From the opening match to the final whistle, RAF03 delivered everything this league promised: legacy matchups, breakout stars, jaw-dropping upsets and storylines that rewired the sport.

The atmosphere inside Wintrust Arena was big, loud and connected. You could feel that fans, athletes and the moment itself had all shown up ready to push freestyle wrestling into a whole new lane.

‍Mendes vs. Chandler: A First in Any Arena

For all they’ve accomplished in MMA, Chad Mendes and Michael Chandler had somehow never faced off in any format. That changed in the RAF03 main event, where they brought the heat in a tight, tactical 175-pound bout. Chandler walked away with the 4–2 win—but it was his post-match mic work that really rocked the building.

With no hesitation, he called out Jordan Burroughs—a challenge that only a competitor like Chandler would dare make. The arena erupted.

Bassett Blasts Off, Gomez Dials Up Diakomihalis

Callouts became the theme of the night, and nobody played it louder than Bo Bassett.

The teenage phenom made his case as “the future” a bit irrelevant—because he might already be the present. His first-period pin over Darrion Caldwell, a former NCAA and Bellator champ, sent shockwaves through the sport. Then he raised the stakes even more, calling out Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov in a moment that broke the internet.

Right behind him, Austin Gomez followed up his 9–1 demolition of Austin O’Connor with a callout of Featherweight champ Yianni Diakomihalis, borrowing Yianni’s own words to say:

“Have some nuts, and show up to RAF 04 with the title on the line.”

Message received.

Yatsenko Stuns Lee, Henschel Drops Guida and Downey Calls for Nickal

You could argue the loudest moment of the night came from Andrii Yatsenko, who shocked three-time NCAA champ Spencer Lee with a last-second pinfall that sent fans into absolute chaos.

The surprises kept coming. Cayden Henschel, fresh off a dominant RAF02 debut, outpaced and overwhelmed Clay Guida in an 11–0 tech before setting his sights on another fan-favorite: Urijah Faber.

Then there was Pat Downey, who didn’t waste any time dismantling Joaquin Buckley with a rapid-fire 12–0 tech. On the mic? He didn’t flinch:

“Bo Nickal—you’re next.”

Women’s Divisions Deliver: Blades Dominates, Gomez Upsets

The women’s matchups were among the cleanest of the night.

Kennedy Blades finally got to wrestle on a stage that matched her skill level, and she made the most of it—shutting out Alejandra Rivera 11–0 to win the RAF Middleweight Title in front of a home crowd that gave her a standing ovation.

In the other women’s feature, Alexis Gomez battled back from an early deficit to score a 7–3 win over Bella Mir, in what felt like a preview of a future NCAA final.

Oliver Narrowly Takes Title, Tazhudinov Shines, Cassioppi Gains Respect

In the featherweight title bout, Jordan Oliver edged out Real Woods via criteria in a razor-thin 2–2 finish to take the RAF Featherweight title. Oliver wasn’t satisfied with the win—he told the crowd he’d be back stronger at RAF04 and that he expects more from himself.

Olympic champion Akhmed Tazhudinov also delivered, pinning Anthony Cassioppi in a match many expected to be lopsided. It was. But Cassioppi showed heart, and left with respect from fans and peers alike.

Announcements, Surprises and What Comes Next

The crowd at RAF03 didn’t just get matches—they got surprises.

RAF leadership announced Bo Nickal will defend his title against Yoel Romero at RAF04, a full-circle match mirroring Cael Sanderson’s Olympic win over Romero in 2004.

Belal Muhammad, another Chicago standout, was in the building and jumped on the mic to challenge David Carr for the RAF Welterweight Title in December. Carr accepted.

RAF03 was proof that freestyle wrestling can be loud, fast and exciting. That world-class athletes from all corners—MMA, NCAA, Olympic—can meet in a format that’s built to showcase them, not constrain them.

From upsets to mic drops, it was the kind of event that left fans asking one question: When’s the next one?

‍Watch It All Again

Relive every match, every moment and every callout from RAF03—only on FOX Nation.