Gable Stevenson took a break from wrestling to pursue different objectives, however he returned to type with a shutout victory over former UFC heavyweight Alexander Romanov in Saturday’s RAF 9 principal occasion.
In his first match again after a heartbreaking loss on the 2025 NCAA Championships, Steveson instantly confirmed his dominance in opposition to Romanov, piling up factors at will and successfully taking pictures every time he needed to attain. Stevenson ended the match within the second interval after knocking Romanov down, making a fast flip to take a 10-0 lead and ending the match with technical superiority.
Following the win, Stevenson might be focusing on a pair of Olympic medalists for his upcoming bouts at RAF, whereas additionally making ready for his Octagon debut at UFC 329 in July.
“I really feel nice,” Stevenson mentioned after the win. “You had been questioning if I might nonetheless wrestle? You assume Gable cannot wrestle? Anybody can have it if they need it. I got here right here to be a wrestler. I am a wrestler at coronary heart, however now I am a fighter.”
“There are three fights I actually need within the RAF. I would like Abdulrashid Saadulaev subsequent. Then there is a man from Iran referred to as Amir Hossein Zareh, who’s the perfect heavyweight proper now. I am going for the third struggle. In order for you it, I will be right here.”
A fast turnaround received Stevenson out early and gave him a fast flip to guide by 4 factors virtually as quickly as the sport began. A pushout gave Stevenson the additional level, however as time was working out within the first interval, he broke Romanov’s grip and it seemed like the previous UFC heavyweight may need sustained some sort of harm to his shoulder.
Regardless of the harm, the match continued into the second interval, with Stevenson making one other fast pushout and one other comeback to take a 10-0 lead, ending the match with a tech fall from the Olympic gold medalist.
Stevenson is a giant addition to the Royal Air Power roster as an Olympic champion and is now a possible star within the UFC. Along with his UFC debut looming, he’ll doubtless have to attend for his subsequent RAF look, however Stevenson has all types of fights to set him up for the long run, particularly if he needs to problem for a spot on the 2028 Olympic crew in Los Angeles.
