RAF 7: Tsarukyan vs. Poullas 2 & Gable Steveson Signs

RAF Wrestling Is Having Its Biggest Night Yet: Everything You Need to Know About RAF 7

Real American Freestyle wrestling is in the spotlight tonight. On March 28, 2026, RAF holds its seventh event at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida — and the card is stacked. From a viral rematch that the combat sports world has been waiting two months for, to the recent signing of an Olympic gold medalist, RAF is rapidly establishing itself as one of the most talked-about leagues in professional wrestling and combat sports.

Here's a full breakdown of what's happening, why it matters, and what to watch for at RAF 7.

What Is RAF Wrestling?

Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling is a professional wrestling promotion that blends the technical foundation of folkstyle and freestyle wrestling with the entertainment energy of combat sports events. Founded in 2025 by Chad Bronstein and co-founded by the late Hulk Hogan, RAF has grown at a remarkable pace.

In under a year of operation, the league claims more than 200 billion earned media impressions, over 750 million organic social views, and has surpassed eight figures in combined ticketing and merchandise revenue. Those are not numbers you'd expect from a startup league — and tonight's event at the Yuengling Center in Tampa is poised to add to that momentum significantly.

RAF 7: Date, Time, Location, and How to Watch

RAF 7 takes place on March 28, 2026, at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida. The event airs live on FOX Nation at 8 p.m. ET.

The card features four championship bouts, a high-profile co-main event, and a main event rematch that has been generating significant buzz since February. For live results and round-by-round updates, Yahoo Sports is tracking the full RAF 7 card throughout the night.

The Full RAF 7 Card

• Main Event: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Georgio Poullas 2
• Co-Main Event: Colby Covington vs. Dillon Danis
• Championship Bouts: Kyle Dake, Kyle Snyder, Kennedy Blades, and current heavyweight champion Wyatt Hendrickson all compete for titles

The Main Event: Tsarukyan vs. Poullas 2 — Why This Rematch Matters

The centerpiece of RAF 7 is a rematch between Arman Tsarukyan (29), a UFC lightweight contender, and Georgio Poullas (27), a college wrestling standout. Their first meeting at RAF 6 in February 2026 did not end quietly.

Tsarukyan won the match 5-3, but no official winner was announced on the night. Why? Because after the final bell, Tsarukyan threw illegal punches at Poullas, igniting a full team brawl that spilled across the mat. The footage went massively viral across social media, and within days the combat sports internet was demanding a rematch.

A grappling rematch was initially announced and then canceled within 12 hours before RAF stepped in to secure the bout under wrestling rules. The result: tonight's main event, which carries genuine bad blood into the match alongside the unfinished competitive business from their first bout.

Tsarukyan brings elite-level MMA grappling credentials. Poullas brings the collegiate wrestling foundation and, arguably, the crowd sympathy after the February incident. This is one of the more compelling matchups RAF has produced.

Colby Covington vs. Dillon Danis: The Co-Main Adds More Intrigue

The co-main event pairs two names well-known in combat sports circles. Colby Covington, the former UFC welterweight title contender, brings high-level Division I wrestling credentials from Oregon State, where he was an All-American. Dillon Danis, a BJJ black belt and Bellator MMA competitor, is one of the more polarizing figures in the grappling world.

Both fighters have built massive social media followings through their outspoken personalities. Put them on a mat together and the entertainment value — beyond the technical wrestling — is essentially guaranteed.

Gable Steveson Signs with RAF: A Game-Changing Addition

If RAF 7 itself weren't enough to dominate the wrestling news cycle, the league dropped a major announcement just three days ago. On March 25, 2026, RAF confirmed the signing of Gable Steveson, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist in heavyweight freestyle wrestling.

Steveson's resume is extraordinary:

• 2020 Olympic gold medalist in heavyweight freestyle wrestling (Tokyo Games)
• Two-time NCAA champion at the University of Minnesota
• Two-time Hodge Trophy winner, college wrestling's highest individual honor

After his college career, Steveson's path took several turns. He signed with WWE's NXT developmental brand, then pursued an NFL tryout with the Buffalo Bills, before returning to college wrestling and going 3-0 in MMA competition. According to InterMat Wrestling, Steveson has now signed a multi-match agreement with RAF. CBS News Minnesota also confirmed the deal, calling it a significant homecoming for the Minnesota Gophers alum.

As Ariel Helwani reported, Steveson is set to debut at RAF 9 in May.

Steveson vs. Hendrickson: The Storyline Already in Place

Perhaps the most compelling element of Steveson's signing is that his natural first opponent is already in the RAF roster. Wyatt Hendrickson, the current RAF heavyweight champion, is the man who handed Steveson one of his few career losses — a 5-4 decision at the 2025 national title that ended Steveson's remarkable 70-match win streak.

Hendrickson then signed with RAF and won the heavyweight championship. Now Steveson is joining the same promotion. A rematch between these two, with a RAF title on the line, essentially writes itself — and it's exactly the kind of organic storytelling that separates compelling combat sports promotion from the generic variety.

RAF's Growth: From Startup to Cultural Moment

RAF's rise has been rapid by any standard. Founded in 2025, the league has already passed eight figures in ticketing and merchandise revenue, and the social media numbers suggest it has tapped into something genuine. The Tsarukyan-Poullas brawl video alone demonstrated that RAF events have the kind of unpredictable, high-stakes energy that generates organic virality.

The co-founder credit belonging to Hulk Hogan — who passed away before seeing the league fully take off — speaks to the DNA of the promotion: professional wrestling spectacle meets legitimate athletic competition. It's a combination that has historically proven difficult to execute, but RAF's early numbers suggest they may have found the right formula.

The league is also investing in grassroots development. Following RAF 7, RAF will hold its first wrestling clinic series on March 29 at Freedom High School in Tampa — a move that signals the organization is thinking about the sport's pipeline, not just its main stage events.

Frequently Asked Questions About RAF Wrestling

What does RAF stand for in wrestling?

RAF stands for Real American Freestyle. It is a professional wrestling promotion founded in 2025 by Chad Bronstein and co-founded by Hulk Hogan.

When and where is RAF 7?

RAF 7 takes place on March 28, 2026, at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida. It airs live on FOX Nation starting at 8 p.m. ET.

What happened between Tsarukyan and Poullas at RAF 6?

At RAF 6 in February 2026, Arman Tsarukyan won his match against Georgio Poullas 5-3, but after the final bell, Tsarukyan threw illegal punches at Poullas. This triggered a team brawl that was captured on video and went viral across social media. No official winner was announced on the night due to the incident, setting up tonight's rematch.

Who is Gable Steveson and why is his RAF signing significant?

Gable Steveson is the 2020 Olympic gold medalist in heavyweight freestyle wrestling, a two-time NCAA champion at the University of Minnesota, and a two-time Hodge Trophy winner. His signing with RAF on March 25, 2026 is significant because it brings one of the most decorated amateur wrestlers of his generation to the promotion. He is expected to debut at RAF 9 in May.

Who is the current RAF heavyweight champion?

Wyatt Hendrickson is the current RAF heavyweight champion. He's notable for having ended Gable Steveson's 70-match win streak with a 5-4 decision at the 2025 national title — making his eventual clash with Steveson in RAF one of the most anticipated bouts in the promotion's short history.

Conclusion: RAF Is Building Something Real

Tonight's RAF 7 in Tampa is more than just another event on the combat sports calendar. The Tsarukyan-Poullas rematch carries genuine stakes and a backstory that captured mainstream attention. The Gable Steveson signing, announced just days ago, signals that top-tier talent is now actively choosing RAF as their competitive home. And the four championship bouts on tonight's card mean there are titles and legacies on the line across the entire card.

Whether you're a lifelong wrestling fan, a combat sports follower drawn in by the MMA crossover names, or simply someone who saw that February brawl clip and wanted context — RAF is worth paying attention to right now. The league is in the middle of its fastest growth period, and the talent acquisition moves it's making suggest this is still early days.

Tune into FOX Nation at 8 p.m. ET tonight to watch it unfold live.