Cleveland is about to get another dose of professional wrestling—and RAF 12 may be the biggest night yet.
On Saturday, August 22, Real American Freestyle returns to Cleveland’s Rocket Arena for RAF 12, celebrating the promotion’s one-year anniversary. The event begins at 8:00 p.m. and will stream live exclusively on FOX Nation.
And if you’re a wrestling fan, this is one you’re not going to want to miss.
RAF has quickly carved out a unique place in the combat-sports world by bringing elite freestyle wrestlers, Olympic champions, NCAA legends and MMA stars together under one roof. For its anniversary show, the promotion is going back to where it all began—Cleveland, a city with one of the deepest wrestling traditions in the country.
Jordan Burroughs Makes His RAF Debut
The headline matchup alone makes RAF 12 special.
Jordan Burroughs, one of the most decorated American wrestlers of all time, will finally make his RAF debut against UFC welterweight contender Sean Brady.
Burroughs needs little introduction. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist and six-time World/Olympic medalist built a legendary career with multiple NCAA and World championships and is widely regarded as one of the greatest American wrestlers ever. Brady, meanwhile, brings a completely different background to the mat, but has developed into one of the UFC's elite grapplers.
It's a classic RAF matchup: one of the greatest pure wrestlers of his generation against a high-level MMA fighter looking to prove he belongs on the freestyle stage.
Colby Covington vs. Belal Muhammad
The co-main event brings plenty of legitimate bad blood.
Colby Covington will put his RAF Cruiserweight Crossover title on the line against former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad.
The rivalry between the two has already spilled over from their MMA careers, and tensions escalated following RAF 11. Covington enters the matchup undefeated in RAF, while Muhammad is coming off a victory over Ben Askren.
Expect this one to be intense long before the opening whistle.
Bo Nickal vs. Max McEnelly
For wrestling purists, Bo Nickal vs. Max McEnelly could be one of the most intriguing matches on the entire card.
Nickal is one of the most accomplished American wrestlers of his generation and has already established himself as a major MMA prospect. McEnelly is one of the brightest young stars in American wrestling, making this a fascinating matchup between elite collegiate credentials and the next generation of freestyle talent.
More Stars, More Matchups
RAF 12 is loaded beyond the top three bouts.
The card also features Tyron Woodley vs. Joaquin Buckley, giving the former UFC welterweight champion his RAF debut against a familiar MMA opponent. Woodley was a two-time Division I All-American at Missouri before becoming a UFC champion, while Buckley has already competed in RAF.
Another major attraction is Gable Steveson vs. Anthony Cassioppi, a rematch between two heavyweight stars who have plenty of history from their collegiate days. Steveson, an Olympic champion and two-time NCAA champion, recently made his RAF debut with a victory, while Cassioppi brings four-time NCAA All-American credentials into the matchup.
There is also plenty more elite wrestling talent throughout the card, including David Carr vs. Tajmuraz Salkazanov and the highly anticipated Nolf vs. Wick matchup.
Cleveland Is the Perfect Setting
RAF 12 isn't just another event on the schedule. It's a homecoming.
The promotion was founded with the goal of creating a true professional home for freestyle wrestling, and one year later, RAF is bringing its anniversary celebration back to Cleveland. Rocket Arena—home of the Cleveland Cavaliers—will host the event, giving the promotion a major stage in one of America's premier wrestling communities.
With Olympic champions, NCAA legends, UFC stars and some of the best young wrestlers in the country sharing the card, RAF 12 represents exactly what makes Real American Freestyle different.
One year. Twelve events. One absolutely loaded night of wrestling.
If you're anywhere near Cleveland on August 22, RAF 12 is an event worth making the trip for.
RAF 12
📍 Rocket Arena — Cleveland, Ohio
📅 Saturday, August 22, 2026
⏰ 8:00 PM
📺 Live on FOX Nation
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