The Real American Freestyle (RAF) event is set to make waves in Tempe, Arizona, on February 28, with a lineup headlined by National Wrestling Hall of Famer Henry Cejudo. Scheduled for 7 p.m. at Mullett Arena, the event will be broadcast on FOX Nation and features UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber facing Cejudo in a highly anticipated matchup. Although the event is sold out, standing-room-only tickets have been made available due to high demand.
The RAF06 card is rich with Arizona ties, showcasing notable local athletes, including Benson Henderson, a former WEC and UFC lightweight champion, who trains at MMA Lab in Phoenix. Another standout is Beau Bartlett, a three-time All-America wrestler who grew up in Tempe. Bartlett describes the event as a “full-circle moment,” highlighting the growth and visibility of wrestling talent from Arizona.
Reflecting on his upbringing, Bartlett noted that he was often identified simply as “an Arizona kid” and felt a shift as local wrestlers began to achieve national recognition. He reminisced about watching Anthony Robles and Bubba Jenkins claim NCAA titles for Arizona State University in 2011, inspiring a generation of wrestlers to aspire for greatness.
Zahid Valencia, a two-time NCAA champion and fellow ASU alumnus, expressed excitement about the representation on the RAF card. “Seeing Henry Cejudo on there… it’s just awesome to see some Sun Devil alumni out there wrestling,” he said.
Henderson shared his enthusiasm about bringing RAF to Arizona, acknowledging the state’s rich wrestling history and the importance of continuing that legacy with such events. Additionally, his teammate Bryce Meredith, a three-time All-America wrestler from Wyoming, and Everest Leydecker, a rising star from Phoenix who recently won a gold medal in women’s freestyle at the 2025 U20 World Championships, will also take to the mat.
The evolution of Arizona wrestling has been notable, with Bartlett observing a shift from being one of the few representatives from the state to now seeing numerous nationally ranked wrestlers emerging each year. “There’s a lot of pride in representing Arizona now,” he stated, capturing the spirit of the emerging wrestling community in the region.
The RAF event is not just a local showcase; it signifies the growing prominence and pride of Arizona’s wrestling scene, uniting athletes and fans in celebration of their shared passion for the sport.