wrestling / News
Michael Chandler vs. Chad Mendes Set to Headline Real American Freestyle 03 in Chicago
Image Credit: RAF
Real American Freestyle (RAF) has announced a blockbuster main event for its upcoming RAF 03 event, confirming that Michael Chandler and Chad Mendes will headline the card on November 29, 2025, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The announcement marks one of the biggest matchups in RAF’s growing history, uniting two former MMA stars for a long-awaited showdown.
Both Chandler, 39, and Mendes, 40, bring decades of experience and championship credentials to the mat. Chandler, a former Bellator Lightweight Champion and NCAA Division I All-American from the University of Missouri, earned national recognition through fights in UFC against top stars like Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje. Mendes, meanwhile, is a Cal Poly All-American and two-time NCAA finalist, best known for his UFC featherweight battles with Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor, as well as his stint in Bare Knuckle FC.
RAF CEO Chad Bronstein called (via TMZ) the Chandler vs. Mendes clash a “full-circle moment for wrestling.” He highlighted how both competitors are returning to their amateur roots.
“Bringing Mendes and Chandler to the RAF mat is a full-circle moment for wrestling. These are world-class fighters who never lost their connection to the sport that made them. This matchup proves what RAF is all about – giving elite athletes a platform to come home and remind the world where greatness begins.”
RAF, co-founded by Bronstein and the late Hulk Hogan, has quickly emerged as a crossover platform blending the intensity of freestyle wrestling with the global appeal of MMA. The promotion has already featured high-profile athletes such as Bo Nickal, Holly Holm, and Julianna Peña.
Chandler vs. Mendes on the mat 🤯
Before they were MMA superstars, they were college wrestling greats. Now, Michael Chandler and Chad Mendes return to where it all began.
Watch RAF03 exclusively on @foxnation November 29th in Chicago pic.twitter.com/kx0oDm1UZW
— Real American Freestyle (@RAFWrestlingUSA) October 27, 2025
