Yonger Bastida vs Zach Elam - College Legends, Professional Stakes

It’s another marquee matchup for Yonger Bastida and Zach Elam. The two have met before, have stolen the show on multiple occasions and look to prove they’re just as prone to excitement under the freestyle ruleset.

The first time Yonger Bastida and Zach Elam met their undefeated records were on the line. Bastida took home the victory but it was very clear it wouldn’t be the last time they faced off.

Bastida came up in weight to settle into the heavyweight division with a significant speed advantage and take on new challenges while somehow also maintaining a strength advantage over most of the division. He came just short of a National Title twice in his time as a heavyweight but gave wrestling fans everywhere classic after classic in his time as a Cyclone, especially in his mini-rivalry with Elam.

Bastida was one of the most dominant and exciting heavyweights in the division and has carried the strength, speed and explosivity advantage out on to the freestyle mat after graduating. He’s already made his RAF debut, placed at Worlds and finished second at the Cerro Pelado International.

He has had almost everybody’s number in college and he’s looking to officially kick off his freestyle run against a man he’s never lost to.

Elam comes into the matchup with plenty of collegiate accolades as well and even matches Bastida’s 0-1 promotional record. His debut appearance featured a hard-fought 7-3 decision loss against Olympic silver medalist Givi Matcharashvili. He didn’t get the victory but it was a debut in which his stock rose and everybody in the division put a little more respect on his name, including Bastida.

Elam was always known as a dangerous finisher in college but his RAF match against a man who was, at one time, crowned the second greatest wrestler in the world at his weight class showed everybody he was somebody who could make openings as well.

Elam’s takedown of Matcharashvili showed that he’s not just a “position merchant,” he’s now a wrestler who can keep even the strongest of freestyle competitors worrying about the takedown.

Bastida might come in with the lifetime advantage over Elam but the slate appears to have been wiped clean with the introduction of the freestyle ruleset.

For Bastida to continue his run of dominance over Elam he will need to attack the legs early. Bastida is so explosive that his ability to change levels and attack is almost guaranteed success. If he can target the legs and avoid handfighting and upper body attacks, he will have immediate and constant pressure on Elam.

He will also need to capitalize on freestyle exposure opportunities. Unlike folkstyle, freestyle rewards exposing an opponent's back to the mat, with additional points available for certain high-amplitude throws. This falls right into Bastida’s arsenal and he can look to convert takedowns into turns rather than settling for the initial score.

For Elam, he will need to control the distance. One way to avoid Bastida’s energy is to keep space. Elam’s best opportunities will come when he maintains strong positioning and forces Bastida to get more and more reckless with his offense. This strategy will come with an added risk of the shot clock but Elam proved in his RAF debut that he can handle forcing action with or without his back against the wall.

He will also need to make his size and strength count. He’s one of the few heavyweights alive who can match Bastida in the weight room and he will need to put it to use on October 23.

Elam can look to establish ties, control the center of the mat and make Bastida fight for every position. The goal isn't simply to slow the match down, it's to make Bastida's attacks harder to execute while creating opportunities for his own offense. Every bit of resistance he shows, Bastida’s offense and cardio will suffer.

The slate has been wiped clean and it’s now time to find out which man is more equipped for supremacy in the Real American Freestyle heavyweight division. Prepare the “late replacement” matchup to turn into a blood and guts war.

Catch Yonger Bastida vs Zach Elam at RAF14 LIVE from Las Vegas, Friday, October 23 ONLY on FOX Nation!