Steveson Dominates Romanov In RAF Debut

Gable Steveson continued his preparation for a UFC debut with a commanding performance in his RAF debut on Friday, shutting out UFC and PFL veteran Alexandr Romanov by technical fall to win 10-0 ahead of his Octagon appearance at UFC 329 on July 11.

Steveson's athleticism was immediately apparent. A takedown and turn in the opening period put him up 4-0 before the action was briefly halted when Romanov appeared to suffer an arm injury. Romanov continued, but Steveson was 5-0 at the end of the first period and showed no intention of easing off. A step-out point and a further takedown extended the lead in the second before Steveson rolled and executed a gutwrench to complete a 10-0 technical fall victory.

The Olympic gold medalist, Pan-American Games champion, and two-time NCAA national champion from the University of Minnesota brings credentials that have not been seen in a UFC heavyweight prospect in some time.

Romanov, a veteran of both the UFC and PFL, is now 0-2 in RAF competition having previously lost to Mason Parris. The step up in opposition Steveson will face at UFC 329 — Elisha Ellison carries a 5-2 record with a 100 percent finish rate — is a different challenge, but the manner of this performance will do little to calm nerves in the Ellison camp.

“I’m feeling amazing. You questioned if I could still wrestle? You think Gable can’t wrestle? Whoever wants it can get it. I came here to be a wrestler. I’m a wrestler at heart but I’m a fighter now. “I have three matches in RAF that I really want. Next up I would like Abdulrashid Sadulaev and there’s a guy from Iran named Amir Hossein Zare, he’s the best heavyweight right now, we’ll go for my third match. If you want it, I’m here,” Stevenson said