Sarah Hildebrandt wins by technical fall, 11-0 over Zeltzin Hernandez to claim Women’s Straweight World Title

Breakdown: R1: 7-0 Hildebrandt | R2: 0-0 | R3: 4-0 Hildebrandt

In her first match since winning Olympic gold last summer in Paris, Sarah Hildebrandt made a winning return to the mat at RAF01, defeating Mexico’s Zeltzin Hernandez with poise, pace and just enough flash to remind everyone why she’s one of the most beloved stars in the sport.

Hildebrandt was the only Olympic gold medalist on the card, and the crowd in Cleveland treated her like it. From her Hulk Hogan-inspired entrance to her clean, fundamental win, Sarah delivered a performance that felt both celebratory and composed.

Early Scramble, Early Statement

The match opened with Hernandez getting in deep on a single leg. For a split second, it looked like an early score for Mexico—but Hildebrandt stayed calm, hit a smooth switch, and turned the scramble into her own offense.

That counter set the tone. Hildebrandt didn’t force much the rest of the way. She didn’t need to.

Instead, she let the match come to her, scoring with basic go-behinds and earning a few turns on top. Nothing wild, nothing risky—just clean, smart wrestling from a world-class competitor.

Hernandez Pushed, But Couldn’t Break Through

To her credit, Zeltzin Hernandez brought real pressure. She got to legs more than once and nearly converted early. But Hildebrandt’s defense held strong. Whether it was hips in, a timely whizzer or strong mat awareness, Sarah never let Hernandez finish.

Hernandez stayed in it throughout, but Hildebrandt’s mat control made sure the score stayed in her favor.

Still the People’s Champ

Beyond the wrestling, Hildebrandt reminded fans why she’s one of the most popular athletes in the sport. Her walkout was a tribute to the late Hulk Hogan, complete with the classic “I can’t hear you” hand gesture to the crowd.

The crowd loved it—and loved her.

Hildebrandt spent time with fans pre- and post-match and was all smiles from warm-up to cooldown. Even after retiring post-Paris, and spending the year coaching, it was clear she hadn’t lost a step. Or the spotlight.

A Winning Return, A Bigger Message

The win wasn’t just about the score. It was about the moment. Hildebrandt’s return added star power to RAF01, and her performance showed that she can still compete at the highest level if she chooses to continue.

If this is the start of another run, Team USA has one of its most trusted competitors back in play.