The dust has finally settled at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, and honestly, if you weren't watching RAF 05 live on Fox Nation, you missed the kind of chaos that only Real American Freestyle can deliver. This wasn't just a wrestling meet. It was a statement. When Colby "Chaos" Covington walked out with country star Brantley Gilbert, the vibe in the building shifted from a standard sports event to something much closer to a high-stakes Vegas fight night.
If you're looking for the raf wrestling results today, the headline is simple: Colby Covington is still a problem on the mats. He didn't just win; he dismantled Luke Rockhold.
It was a 12-0 technical fall that felt like it was over before it began. Rockhold, a former UFC champion himself, looked like he was underwater. Covington landed his first takedown in under ten seconds and never let off the gas. It’s wild to see a guy who has spent the last decade in a cage transition back to pure freestyle and look that sharp. After the match, Colby didn’t even acknowledge the victory as a peak. He went straight for the mic and called out Georges St-Pierre. Bold? Yeah. Possible? In the world of RAF, maybe.
The Matches That Stole the Show
While everyone was talking about the main event, the real "wrestling" purists were focused on the co-main. Kyle Dake vs. Mahamedkhabib "Kadik" Kadzimahamedau was easily the fight of the night. This was a massive revenge match for Dake. If you remember the Tokyo Olympics, Kadik basically shut Dake out 11-0. That kind of loss stays with a guy.
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Dake fought like he had something to prove, taking a 10-7 decision to retain his Cruiserweight title. It wasn't easy. Kadik stormed back in the third period, making everyone in the arena sweat, but Dake’s defense held up. It’s 1-1 between them now, and social media is already screaming for the trilogy.
Then we had the drama with Yoel Romero. Man, what a mess. Romero was supposed to fight Bo Nickal for the Light Heavyweight title, but he missed weight. In this league, that's a death sentence for your championship hopes. They stripped him of his interim belt on the spot. Instead of the Nickal superfight, Romero ended up facing NCAA champ Stephen Buchanan. It wasn't pretty for the "Soldier of God." Buchanan looked twenty years younger, which, to be fair, he basically is. He put a 10-0 technical fall on Romero in the second period.
Quick Look at the Scorecards
The results from the night were a mix of absolute dominance and some weird "wait, what?" moments.
- Colby Covington def. Luke Rockhold via Technical Fall (12-0)
- Kyle Dake def. Mahamedkhabib Kadzimahamedau via Decision (10-7)
- Arman Tsarukyan def. Lance Palmer via Technical Fall (10-0)
- Jordan Oliver def. Real Woods via Decision (3-3 criteria)
- Stephen Buchanan def. Yoel Romero via Technical Fall (10-0)
- Zahid Valencia def. Nate Jackson via Decision (4-0)
- Austin DeSanto def. Nathan Tomasello via Technical Fall (11-1)
Arman Tsarukyan’s performance against Lance Palmer was genuinely shocking. Palmer is a four-time All-American, but Tsarukyan treated him like a warm-up partner. He tech-falled him in about 90 seconds. It’s clear that some of these MMA guys aren’t just "cross-training"—they are elite freestyle threats.
Why These Results Change the 2026 Season
The raf wrestling results today didn't just settle old scores; they threw the rankings into a blender. Jordan Oliver "won" his match against Real Woods on criteria (3-3), but because Oliver missed weight, the Featherweight title is currently vacant. It’s a weird situation. Oliver proved he’s the better wrestler on the night, but he doesn't have the belt to show for it.
We also have to talk about the future. While the Sunrise event just wrapped, the big news backstage is the signing of Abdulrashid Sadulaev. The "Russian Tank" is officially coming to RAF. He’s expected to debut at RAF 06 in Tempe, Arizona, on February 28. If you thought the competition was stiff tonight, wait until the greatest wrestler on the planet enters the chat.
The league is also leaning heavily into its partnership with USA Wrestling, which allows current NCAA stars to get paid through NIL. That’s why you’re seeing guys like Bo Bassett (who destroyed Cayden Henschel 14-4 tonight) competing alongside UFC legends. It’s a weird, beautiful hybrid of a sport.
What’s Next for the Winners
If you're following the trajectory of these athletes, the next stop is Arizona. RAF 06 is already looking stacked. Henry Cejudo vs. Urijah Faber is the headliner. That's a legacy fight if I've ever seen one.
For the guys who won tonight, the path is clear:
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- Kyle Dake is looking at a potential third fight with Kadik or a crossover match with a high-level MMA wrestler.
- Colby Covington wants GSP, but the league might push for a Tsarukyan match first, given how dominant Arman looked.
- Bo Nickal is still the king of the Light Heavyweights, but with Romero out of the picture, he needs a new challenger.
The reality is that RAF has figured out a way to make freestyle wrestling "must-watch" television. They’ve got the production value of the UFC but the raw, unscripted intensity of the Olympic mats. If you're a fan, you need to keep an eye on the February 28th card. Between the Sadulaev debut and the Cejudo-Faber clash, the 2026 season is just getting started.
Keep an eye on the official RAF site for the updated rankings and ticket drops for the Tempe event. The way these cards are selling out, you don't want to wait until the week of the fight. The landscape of professional wrestling is changing, and it looks a lot more like a real mat than a ring.
Next Steps for Fans
- Watch the Replays: If you missed the live stream, FOX Nation has the full RAF 05 card available on demand. It's worth it just to see the Dake vs. Kadik scrambles.
- Check the Rankings: With Oliver and Romero missing weight, the Featherweight and Light Heavyweight divisions are in flux. Visit the Real American Freestyle website to see the updated title picture.
- Secure RAF 06 Tickets: The Arizona event on February 28 is expected to sell out fast now that Sadulaev is confirmed. Check SeatGeek for availability.
- Follow the NIL News: Keep an eye on which college stars are signing short-term RAF contracts, as these "open" matches are where the biggest upsets are happening.