TLDR
- Daniel Cormier has publicly called out Jon Jones for a wrestling match under Real American Freestyle
- RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein says the match is possible due to connections with both fighters
- Kyle Dake faces Mahamedkhabib Kadimagomedov at RAF 5 in a rematch from their 2020 Olympics encounter
- Stephen Buchanan also called out Jon Jones for a wrestling match after beating Yoel Romero
- The UFC has approved multiple fighters to compete in RAF wrestling matches
Sources: MMA Fighting | EssentiallySports | Sportskeeda MMA
Daniel Cormier has challenged his longtime rival Jon Jones to a wrestling match. Real American Freestyle co-founder Chad Bronstein says the promotional connections could make it happen.
Bronstein addressed Cormier’s callout ahead of RAF 5 in Florida on Saturday. He pointed to the relationships between both fighters and key RAF figures.
“Ben’s pretty close to Daniel, and so is Izzy, and then Izzy obviously trained Jon Jones for quite some time,” Bronstein told MMA Fighting. “So far [with] RAF, you’ve seen that matches, all matches, can happen.”
Ben Askren and Izzy Martinez are promotional figureheads for RAF. Their connections to both Cormier and Jones could help bring the match together.
‘All matches can happen’: RAF co-founder reacts to Daniel Cormier calling out Jon Jones: Daniel Cormier said he’d like to face Jon Jones in a wrestling match for Real American Freestyle, and the promotional brass would love to make… https://t.co/x9VJCwsHsi #ytb #news #samurai pic.twitter.com/ALZz59I8Er
— @samuraijitsu (@samuraijitsu1) January 10, 2026
UFC Stars Embrace Wrestling Competition
RAF has attracted several current and former UFC fighters to compete on the wrestling mats. The promotion’s events feature MMA champions switching from the cage to pure wrestling competition.
RAF 5 includes former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington facing past middleweight champion Luke Rockhold in the main event. Current middleweight contender Bo Nickal takes on multi-time title challenger Yoel Romero.
Current UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan faces former two-time PFL season champion Lance Palmer. Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo is set to face Urijah Faber at RAF 6 in February.
Bronstein says the UFC has been supportive of their fighters competing in RAF. He believes wrestling offers less injury risk than MMA competition.
“The UFC’s been great to us,” Bronstein said. “We’re not competitive. I think we’re additive to all of MMA, as well as other organizations.”
UFC fighters typically compete only three times per year at most. RAF gives them additional competition opportunities while continuing to train wrestling as part of their normal camp preparation.
New Challenger Enters Jones Pursuit
Cormier isn’t the only person calling out Jones for a wrestling match. Stephen Buchanan inserted himself into the conversation after his win over Yoel Romero at RAF 5.
Buchanan’s dominant performance led him to challenge Jones on the wrestling mats. His callout adds another layer to what had been framed as Cormier’s pursuit of Jones.
Kyle Dake, one of the most accomplished American wrestlers in history, competes at RAF 5 against Mahamedkhabib Kadimagomedov. The match is a rematch from the 2020 Olympics where Kadimagomedov upset Dake 11-0.
“I wrestled ‘Kadik’ in 2021,” Dake said. “I’ve been looking for that match for a long time.”
Dake praised RAF for creating opportunities that don’t exist in traditional wrestling tournaments. He said he would welcome matches against any UFC fighter interested in testing their wrestling skills.
“I would love to compete against any of those guys,” Dake said. “So if there’s any UFC guy that wants to throw their hat in the ring, let’s do it.”
Years ago, Dake proposed a grappling match with former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nothing came from that challenge, but Dake remains open to the possibility.
Bronstein says he’s excited every time MMA stars express interest in competing for RAF. He believes the promotion is drawing attention back to competitive wrestling and reigniting competitive desires in fighters who have finished their MMA careers.
The UFC has approved multiple fighters to compete in RAF events. Bronstein hopes the relationship continues to grow as both organizations benefit from the crossover appeal.
