Yoel Romero stripped of interim RAF title, Bo Nickal now champion
Sunrise, FL (January 10, 2026) – Real American Freestyle (RAF), the first unscripted pro-wrestling league for the best athletes in the world, has released the following statement from CEO and Co-Founder Chad Bronstein regarding updates to tonight’s card at RAF05, which takes place at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, and is streaming live on Fox Nation from 8pm EST:
“As we get set for tonight’s RAF 05, we want to share an important update following today’s official weigh-ins,” said Chad Bronstein, Co-Founder & CEO, RAF.”
“Three wrestlers did not make weight, resulting in changes to tonight’s card and title picture. We plan for every scenario, and tonight still delivers one of the most stacked wrestling cards ever assembled.
“Yoel Romero did not make weight and has been stripped of his interim champion status. As a result, Bo Nickal will not compete tonight and is now recognized as the undisputed RAF Light Heavyweight Champion at 205 lbs.”
“Stephen Buchanan also did not make weight. Romero and Buchanan, who were originally scheduled to face different opponents, will now meet in a featured matchup tonight at Unlimited weight class. Pat Downey will not compete this evening.
UPDATE: RAF later announced that Buchanan did not miss weight.
“In the Featherweight division, Jordan Oliver did not make weight and has been stripped of the RAF Featherweight Title. Oliver and Real Woods will still compete tonight in a match where if Woods is victorious, he will become the RAF Featherweight Champion. If Oliver is victorious, the title will remain vacant and be contested for in a future RAF match.
“Tonight’s event now features two marquee matchups: the co-main event, the long-awaited rematch between Dake and Kadik, and the main event, Covington vs. Rockhold.
“We’ll see you tonight at Amerant Bank Arena or live on FOX Nation at 8:00 PM EST.”
Updated RAF05 Match Card:
Keelon ‘Mugzy’ Jimison vs Georgio Poullas
Johnni DiJulius vs Pat Lugo
Mostafa Elders vs Steve Mocco
Cayden Henschel vs Bo Bassett
Austin DeSanto vs Nathan Tomasello (Bantamweight Championship Match)
Nate Jackson vs Zahid Valencia
Yoel Romero vs Stephen Buchanan
Real Woods vs Jordan Oliver
Lance Palmer vs Arman Tsarukyan
Kadik vs Kyle Dake (Cruiserweight Championship Match)
Luke Rockhold vs Colby Covington
