# RAF 05
**RAF 05** (also written RAF05) was the fifth professional wrestling event staged by [Real American Freestyle](https://www.edgepedia.org/real-american-freestyle) (RAF), an unscripted freestyle wrestling promotion, held on January 10, 2026 at the [Amerant Bank Arena](https://www.edgepedia.org/amerant-bank-arena) in [Sunrise, Florida](https://www.edgepedia.org/sunrise-florida), and broadcast live and exclusively on Fox Nation.[1](https://www.pwinsider.com/article/203999/full-raf-05-results-details-colby-covington-victorious.html?p=1) The card was headlined by former UFC welterweight champion Colby Covington against former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold, and it produced three championship matches, a weight-miss controversy that settled a title without a match, and the freestyle debut of UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan.[1](https://www.pwinsider.com/article/203999/full-raf-05-results-details-colby-covington-victorious.html?p=1) • [2](https://www.pwinsider.com/article/203980/updated-raf05-card-following-competitors-not-making-weight.html?p=1)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | RAF05, the fifth Real American Freestyle card; January 10, 2026, Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Florida[1](https://www.pwinsider.com/article/203999/full-raf-05-results-details-colby-covington-victorious.html?p=1) |
| Broadcast | Live exclusively on Fox Nation from 8 pm EST, with support from partners Real American Beer, Takedown, and Novartis[2](https://www.pwinsider.com/article/203980/updated-raf05-card-following-competitors-not-making-weight.html?p=1) • [1](https://www.pwinsider.com/article/203999/full-raf-05-results-details-colby-covington-victorious.html?p=1) |
| Main event | Colby Covington defeated Luke Rockhold by technical fall, 12-0[3](https://www.themat.com/news/2026/january/11/dake-outlasts-kadzimahamedau-to-retain-cruiserweight-title-at-raf05) |
| Title changes | Austin DeSanto took the Bantamweight Championship from Nathan Tomasello, 11-1; Kyle Dake and the light heavyweight picture were unaffected by in-ring results[4](https://www.thescrap.co/raf-5-guide/) • [2](https://www.pwinsider.com/article/203980/updated-raf05-card-following-competitors-not-making-weight.html?p=1) |
| Weight-miss fallout | Yoel Romero missed weight, was stripped of his interim light heavyweight title, and Bo Nickal was recognized as undisputed RAF Light Heavyweight Champion at 205 lbs without competing[2](https://www.pwinsider.com/article/203980/updated-raf05-card-following-competitors-not-making-weight.html?p=1) |
| Debut | Arman Tsarukyan, the UFC's No. 1 lightweight contender, beat former PFL champion Lance Palmer 10-0 by technical fall in roughly ninety seconds[5](https://rafinsider.com/events/raf05/) |
| Business result | The event gave Fox Nation its best day for new subscriptions in more than a year, after which the platform extended its exclusive agreement with the promotion[6](https://arenora.ru/news/poedinok-ramonova-i-arudzhau-vozglavit-turnir-2026-08-06) |
## Context in the RAF calendar
Real American Freestyle operates under the executive direction of Chad Bronstein, Izzy Martinez, and [Eric Bischoff](https://www.edgepedia.org/eric-bischoff), and its flagship cards air on Fox Nation.[1](https://www.pwinsider.com/article/203999/full-raf-05-results-details-colby-covington-victorious.html?p=1) RAF 05 was the promotion's first card of 2026, following [RAF 04](https://www.edgepedia.org/raf-04) on December 20, 2025 in Fishers, Indiana, where [Wyatt Hendrickson](https://www.edgepedia.org/wyatt-hendrickson) retained the Heavyweight Championship against Mason Parris.[7](https://t.co/D5veAfBtxv) The next card, RAF 06, was set for February 28, 2026 in Tempe, Arizona, headlined by Henry Cejudo against Urijah Faber.[7](https://t.co/D5veAfBtxv) A press conference previewing RAF 05 was held at the Amerant Bank Arena on January 9, 2026, featuring the full card and hosted by Bronstein and Martinez; it was carried as a 1 hour 29 minute episode on Fox platforms.[1](https://www.pwinsider.com/article/203999/full-raf-05-results-details-colby-covington-victorious.html?p=1) • [8](https://tv.apple.com/us/episode/raf-05-press-conference/umc.cmc.p68heg3av9yj12n01hdfkotl?showId=umc.cmc.3fxmrekie4yilrbq3h4d4qc8c)
The promotion positions itself as a league for elite wrestlers with crossover appeal, and RAF 05 illustrated both directions of that traffic: UFC veterans Covington, Rockhold, and Tsarukyan competed under wrestling rules, while active NCAA-affiliated talent such as [Bo Bassett](https://www.edgepedia.org/bo-bassett) appeared on the same card.[1](https://www.pwinsider.com/article/203999/full-raf-05-results-details-colby-covington-victorious.html?p=1)
## Weigh-in changes to the card
Three wrestlers missed weight on the day of the event, forcing changes to the card and the title picture. [Yoel Romero](https://www.edgepedia.org/yoel-romero) was stripped of his interim champion status, and as a result [Bo Nickal](https://www.edgepedia.org/bo-nickal), who had been scheduled to face him in a light heavyweight title unification bout, did not compete and was instead recognized as the undisputed RAF Light Heavyweight Champion at 205 lbs. Stephen Buchanan also missed weight; Romero and Buchanan, originally booked against different opponents, were paired in a featured unlimited-weight match that evening. The promotion initially misreported that Buchanan had missed weight for a match against Pat Downey, and issued a correction and apology to Buchanan and his camp.[2](https://www.pwinsider.com/article/203980/updated-raf05-card-following-competitors-not-making-weight.html?p=1)
## Results
The full card, with results as reported by USA Wrestling:[3](https://www.themat.com/news/2026/january/11/dake-outlasts-kadzimahamedau-to-retain-cruiserweight-title-at-raf05)
- Men's Cruiserweight: [Colby Covington](https://www.edgepedia.org/colby-covington) tech. fall [Luke Rockhold](https://www.edgepedia.org/luke-rockhold), 12-0
- Men's Cruiserweight (title match): [Kyle Dake](https://www.edgepedia.org/kyle-dake) dec. Mahamedkhabib "Kadik" Kadzimahamedau, 10-7
- Men's Catchweight: Arman Tsarukyan tech. fall Lance Palmer, 10-0
- Men's Featherweight (title match): Jordan Oliver dec. Real Woods, 3-3
- Men's Light Heavyweight: Stephen Buchanan tech. fall Yoel Romero, 10-0
- Men's Cruiserweight: Zahid Valencia dec. Nate Jackson, 4-0
- Men's Bantamweight (title match): Austin DeSanto tech. fall Nathan Tomasello, 11-1
- Men's Featherweight: Bo Bassett tech. fall Cayden Henschel, 14-4
- Men's Heavyweight: Mostafa Elders dec. Steve Mocco, 6-1
- Men's Featherweight: Johnni DiJulius tech. fall Pat Lugo, 11-0
- Men's Open: Georgio Poullas tech. fall Keelon Jimison, 11-1
The featherweight result between Lugo and DiJulius is reported inconsistently: USA Wrestling's official results list list DiJulius as the winner by 11-0 technical fall, while PWInsider's event report states that Pat Lugo dominated Johnni DiJulius for a second-round win, and The Scrap lists Lugo as the winner by 11-0 technical fall.[3](https://www.themat.com/news/2026/january/11/dake-outlasts-kadzimahamedau-to-retain-cruiserweight-title-at-raf05) • [1](https://www.pwinsider.com/article/203999/full-raf-05-results-details-colby-covington-victorious.html?p=1) • [4](https://www.thescrap.co/raf-5-guide/)
## Championship matches
**Cruiserweight.** Kyle Dake retained his title with a 10-7 decision over Mahamedkhabib Kadzimahamedau in what RAF coverage called the match of the night, a rematch of their 2020 Olympic quarterfinal, which Kadzimahamedov had won.[3](https://www.themat.com/news/2026/january/11/dake-outlasts-kadzimahamedau-to-retain-cruiserweight-title-at-raf05) • [5](https://rafinsider.com/events/raf05/)
**Bantamweight.** Austin DeSanto defeated champion Nathan Tomasello 11-1 by technical fall to take the belt Tomasello had defended twice. RAF coverage described it as the most one-sided title fight in the promotion's history to that point.[4](https://www.thescrap.co/raf-5-guide/) • [5](https://rafinsider.com/events/raf05/) The bout had been announced in December 2025, pairing Tomasello, whose win over Matt Ramos at [RAF 01](https://www.edgepedia.org/raf-01) was the first match and first title in RAF history, against DeSanto, who had won his prior RAF match by 10-0 technical fall.[9](https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/49_raf/two-matches-added-to-raf-05-card-r100694/)
**Featherweight.** Jordan Oliver and [Real Woods](https://www.edgepedia.org/real-woods) ended their title match tied 3-3; because Oliver scored the last point, he was awarded the decision and the championship.[4](https://www.thescrap.co/raf-5-guide/)
## Notable performances and moments
**Tsarukyan's debut.** [Arman Tsarukyan](https://www.edgepedia.org/arman-tsarukyan) entered RAF 05 days after UFC president Dana White said his headbutt on Dan Hooker before their November fight factored "100 percent" into his being passed over for a lightweight title shot. Tsarukyan had promised no headbutts, and he shut out former PFL champion Lance Palmer 10-0 by technical fall in the first period, in roughly ninety seconds, despite never having competed internationally in wrestling.[10](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/lesson-learned-arman-tsarukyan-fulfils-055446296.html) • [5](https://rafinsider.com/events/raf05/)
**Covington vs Rockhold.** The main event was Covington's return to competitive wrestling since his collegiate career, a cruiserweight match between two UFC veterans.[13](https://hawkeyesports.com/sports/wrestling/roster/player/colby-covington) Covington won by 12-0 technical fall.[3](https://www.themat.com/news/2026/january/11/dake-outlasts-kadzimahamedau-to-retain-cruiserweight-title-at-raf05) • [8](https://tv.apple.com/us/episode/raf-05-press-conference/umc.cmc.p68heg3av9yj12n01hdfkotl?showId=umc.cmc.3fxmrekie4yilrbq3h4d4qc8c)
**Other moments.** Georgio Poullas, a social media personality making his formal competitive debut, opened the event with a first-round technical fall over Keelon "Mugzy" Jimison.[1](https://www.pwinsider.com/article/203999/full-raf-05-results-details-colby-covington-victorious.html?p=1) • [11](https://digitsu.com/people/georgio-poullas) Henry Cejudo appeared on stage after a callout from Bo Bassett, country singer Brantley Gilbert walked Covington to the ring, and Michael Chandler challenged Jordan Burroughs and Eddie Alvarez to face him in the promotion.[1](https://www.pwinsider.com/article/203999/full-raf-05-results-details-colby-covington-victorious.html?p=1) Commentary was provided by Cyrus Fees, Kurt Angle, Chael Sonnen, and Julianna Pena.[1](https://www.pwinsider.com/article/203999/full-raf-05-results-details-colby-covington-victorious.html?p=1)
## Aftermath
The event's audience impact was measurable: RAF 05 in Florida gave Fox Nation its best day for new subscriptions in more than a year, and the platform subsequently extended its agreement with the promotion and secured exclusive rights to its future shows.[6](https://arenora.ru/news/poedinok-ramonova-i-arudzhau-vozglavit-turnir-2026-08-06) The full replay remains available on Fox Nation, the promotion's exclusive broadcast home.[5](https://rafinsider.com/events/raf05/) The promotion returned to the Miami area for RAF 13 on September 18, 2026 at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, its first Miami-area card since RAF 05 in January.[12](https://www.mmanews.com/article/raf-undiscovered-winner-debut-raf-13-miami) Tsarukyan returned at RAF 06 in a co-main event against Georgio Poullas.[5](https://rafinsider.com/events/raf05/)
## References
1. [Full RAF 05 Results & Details: Colby Covington Victorious, PWInsider](https://www.pwinsider.com/article/203999/full-raf-05-results-details-colby-covington-victorious.html?p=1)
2. [Updated RAF05 Card Following Competitors Not Making Weight, PWInsider](https://www.pwinsider.com/article/203980/updated-raf05-card-following-competitors-not-making-weight.html?p=1)
3. [Dake outlasts Kadzimahamedau to retain Cruiserweight title at RAF05, USA Wrestling](https://www.themat.com/news/2026/january/11/dake-outlasts-kadzimahamedau-to-retain-cruiserweight-title-at-raf05)
4. [RAF 05 Matchups, Full Card, Start Time, How to Watch, Results, The Scrap](https://www.thescrap.co/raf-5-guide/)
5. [RAF 05 Results: Covington vs Rockhold, Full Fight Card, RAF Insider](https://rafinsider.com/events/raf05/)
6. [Поединок Рамонова и Аруджау возглавит турнир RAF в Москве 5 сентября, Arenora](https://arenora.ru/news/poedinok-ramonova-i-arudzhau-vozglavit-turnir-2026-08-06)
7. [Sports News Sports Media, Media Man](https://t.co/D5veAfBtxv)
8. [RAF 05 Press Conference, Apple TV](https://tv.apple.com/us/episode/raf-05-press-conference/umc.cmc.p68heg3av9yj12n01hdfkotl?showId=umc.cmc.3fxmrekie4yilrbq3h4d4qc8c)
9. [Two Matches Added to RAF 05 Card, InterMat](https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/49_raf/two-matches-added-to-raf-05-card-r100694/)
10. ['Lesson Learned': Arman Tsarukyan Fulfils His Promise at RAF 05 After Dana White's Reality Check, Yahoo Sports](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/lesson-learned-arman-tsarukyan-fulfils-055446296.html)
11. [Georgio Poullas BJJ Stats & Bio, Digitsu](https://digitsu.com/people/georgio-poullas)
12. [RAF Undiscovered Winner Will Debut At RAF 13 In Miami, MMA News](https://www.mmanews.com/article/raf-undiscovered-winner-debut-raf-13-miami)
13. [Colby Covington - Men's Wrestling 2008-09](https://hawkeyesports.com/sports/wrestling/roster/player/colby-covington)
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