Michael Chandler is returning to competition, but it’s not in the UFC’s octagon.
Promotional officials confirmed to MMA Fighting that Chandler will face former UFC and BKFC competitor Chad Mendes in a wrestling match at RAF03. The third Real American Freestyle wrestling event takes place Nov. 29 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The event streams exclusively on Fox Nation.
Chandler returns to the wrestling mat, a place he spent four years competing at the University of Missouri where he achieved All-American status. “Iron” most recently competed in the octagon at UFC 314 where he was stopped by Paddy Pimblett in April. The 39-year-old has dropped three straight, and five of six in MMA competition.
Mendes also brings an All-American wrestling pedigree to the RAF mat, accomplishing that feat on two occasions while attending California Polytechnic State University. “Money” is a three-time UFC featherweight title challenger before transitioning to BKFC for two fights — stopping Joshuah Alvarez, and dropping a split decision to Eddie Alvarez.
RAF03 also features a matchup between former Bellator fighter Darrion Caldwell and high school phenom, and wrestling World Champion, Bo Bassett. Caldwell competes for the promotion for the second time after losing his first RAF match to Real Woods at RAF01.
Darion Caldwell vs the Bassett promotions on that card as well…
i have mixed feelings about both match ups, but, will watch no matter what…
Will Chad call on Aldo to channel him special super powers, like he did when he fought McGregor?
I hope they use AI to have Hogan doing the intro for these great patriots as they enter the RAF battlefield.
Interesting matchup . Not a big fan of pure wrestling but will watch this one
This feels gimmicky…
An old dude who has no wrestling accolades whatsoever is going to wrestle a 2X NCAA champ who just took Sidakov to a 2-2 criteria loss for a world medal?
I am really trying to get behind RAF, but, they are not making it super easy…
Yeah it’s a strange matchup to make and this promotion seems to enjoy giving mma fighters an extra payout without having to get hit in the head .. I like that aspect tbh