“As we prepare for tonight’s RAF 05, we wanted to share an important update following today’s official weigh-ins,” said Chad Bronstein, co-founder and CEO of RAF.
“Three wrestlers did not make weight, resulting in changes to tonight’s card and title picture. We planned every scenario and tonight still deliver one of the most stacked wrestling cards ever put together.
“Yoel Romero has not gained weight and has been stripped of his status as interim champion. 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 meet tonight in a featured match in the Unlimited weight class. Pat Downey will not compete tonight.
UPDATE: RAF later announced that Buchanan had not missed any weight.
“In the featherweight division, Jordan Oliver has not made weight and has been stripped of the RAF featherweight title. Oliver and Real Woods will still battle tonight in a match where, if victorious, Woods will become the RAF featherweight champion. If Oliver is victorious, the title will remain vacant and will be contested in a future RAF match.
“Tonight’s event now features two major matchups: the co-main event, the highly anticipated 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
Johnny 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
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