Max McEnelly, the reigning 184-pound national champion, and two-time heavyweight champ Gable Steveson will compete for the Gopher Wrestling team this Saturday at RAF12 in Cleveland. McEnelly faces former national champion Bo Nickal in a catchweight bout, while Steveson competes against Anthony Cassioppi in heavyweight. The event streams live on FoxNation at 7 p.m. CT from Rocket Arena, where McEnelly won his title earlier this year.

By the Numbers
  • McEnelly finished the 2025-26 season with a 24-2 overall record and 15-1 in duals.
  • Steveson holds a career record of 103-3, the best winning percentage in Gopher wrestling history at .972.
Yes, But

While McEnelly and Steveson are strong competitors, their opponents present formidable challenges. Nickal, a three-time national champion with a successful MMA record, and Cassioppi, a four-time All-American, add layers of difficulty to their matches, enhancing the competition's intensity.

State of Play
  • RAF12 features a modified scoring system different from traditional wrestling formats, designed to enhance scoring action.
  • Steveson is coming off his UFC debut victory, adding to his competitive momentum and profile.
What's Next

Following RAF12, both wrestlers could see potential invitations to more mainstage events based on their performances, affecting their careers in both wrestling and mixed martial arts.

Bottom Line

The upcoming bouts will showcase the evolution of Gopher Wrestling talent and the high stakes of the Real American Freestyle, emphasizing both McEnelly鈥檚 and Steveson鈥檚 status as elite wrestlers in a rapidly changing sport landscape.