Gable Steveson Beats Anthony Cassioppi at RAF 12

Gable Steveson Stays Undefeated in RAF With Statement Win Over Anthony Cassioppi

Gable Steveson has made it clear that his return to competitive wrestling was never a one off. The Olympic gold medalist remained perfect in the promotion with a 6 to 0 decision win over longtime rival Anthony Cassioppi at RAF 12 in Cleveland on August 22, 2026. The result moved Steveson to 2 and 0 in RAF competition and extended his edge in one of wrestling’s most storied modern rivalries.

Steveson and Cassioppi first squared off during their college careers at Minnesota and Iowa, with Steveson holding the upper hand across their previous meetings. The RAF 12 matchup renewed that rivalry on a bigger stage, and Steveson controlled the action from the opening frame. After a cautious first period defined by hand fighting, Steveson earned a point when Cassioppi failed to attempt a shot within the shot clock. He followed with a point for forcing Cassioppi out of bounds in the second frame and another in the third, then closed the match with a takedown in the final period to seal the 6 to 0 decision.

The win came less than three months after Steveson opened his RAF account in equally emphatic fashion. Steveson made his RAF debut in the main event of RAF 09 on May 30, 2026, at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, facing UFC and PFL veteran Alexandr Romanov of Moldova. Steveson controlled that match from the opening exchange, using a quick go behind and a turn to build an early lead before adding a pushout for good measure. A mid match injury to Romanov’s arm briefly slowed the pace, but Steveson kept working, closing out the contest in the second period with a takedown and gutwrench that sealed a 10 to 0 technical fall victory. It marked Steveson’s first competitive freestyle match since the 2023 Final X and his first appearance on any mat since a loss in the finals of the 2025 NCAA Division I Championships.

For a fighter who built his name on the wrestling mat before it, both RAF wins served as a reminder of the foundation behind his rise. Steveson won Olympic gold in the men’s 125 kilogram freestyle division at the Tokyo Games in 2021, capping the victory in dramatic fashion as time expired. He is also a two time NCAA Division I champion and a two time winner of the Dan Hodge Trophy, awarded annually to the top collegiate wrestler in the country, during his career at the University of Minnesota.

The RAF run has unfolded alongside a fast rising MMA career. Weeks after defeating Romanov, Steveson made his long awaited UFC debut at UFC 329 in July 2026, stopping Elisha Ellison by first round knockout. The performance confirmed what many in the sport had already suspected, that Steveson’s combination of elite wrestling pedigree and developing striking ability makes him one of the most closely watched heavyweight prospects in mixed martial arts today. His win over Cassioppi now carries that momentum forward, with Steveson set to face Sean Sharaf in a UFC heavyweight bout at UFC 331 in Los Angeles on September 19. That willingness to compete across formats, from the Olympic mat to the RAF ring to the UFC octagon, reflects the same versatility that has defined his career from the start.

First Round Management is proud to represent Gable Steveson as he continues to build a career that spans wrestling and mixed martial arts at the highest level. FRM’s MMA management team works closely with Steveson on contract negotiation, event scheduling, and long term career planning, helping him navigate a rare dual path across two demanding combat sports. As Steveson continues his climb through the UFC heavyweight division while keeping the door open to future RAF appearances, First Round Management remains focused on the same principle that guides every fighter in its care, building a career with the experience and relationships to support success at every level of competition.