Michael Chandler stepped back onto the wrestling stage in the RAF 3 main attraction on Saturday night and delivered a controlled and measured win over former UFC opponent Chad Mendes. The two met in a three period match that leaned heavily in Chandler’s favor despite Mendes’ deep collegiate background.
The match shifted early. Chad Mendes tried to rotate into a roll while holding Chandler in a tie, but he lost position. Chandler reacted instantly with a roll of his own that put him ahead by two. When passivity was later called against Mendes, Chandler left the opening frame leading 3 to 0.
Both athletes kept fighting for grips and angles as the bout continued, and the action was briefly stopped more than once because of an accidental eye poke and a pair of head clashes. Mendes even showed swelling around one eye yet refused to slow down.
Chandler added a pushout late in the final period, extending his lead. When the clock reached zero, he secured a 4 to 1 victory.
Chandler Calls for Jordan Burroughs
The win was not all Chandler had in mind. Right after the referee raised his hand, he issued a direct challenge to one of the most decorated wrestlers in United States history.
“I’d like to say since 2009, there was a guy out there from the Midwest in the Big 12, who beat me a couple of times that I haven’t been able to get him off my mind. Jordan Burroughs, this ain’t 2009! I’m bigger, I’m faster, I’m stronger, I’m more dangerous! Jump in the RAF ring with me, if you dare.”
Jordan Burroughs is an Olympic gold medalist and multiple time World Champion, widely regarded as one of the greatest American wrestlers ever produced. Chandler has made it clear he wants that test, although his expected mixed martial arts focus still points toward a possible future matchup with Conor McGregor at the planned White House event in June.
Joaquin Buckley Overpowered by Pat Downey
Joaquin Buckley stepped into the card as a replacement for Corey Anderson and met high level grappler Pat Downey. The match did not last long.
Downey attacked quickly with a perfectly timed throw to take a large lead. The finishing sequence came when he lifted Buckley high and drove him back to the mat with force. That slam ended everything by technical fall with a final tally of 12 to 0.
After the result, Pat Downey asked for a match with Bo Nickal, although Nickal already has a scheduled meeting with Yoel Romero in December.
Clay Guida Shut Out by Cayden Henschel
UFC Hall of Famer Clay Guida also returned to competitive wrestling but did not find any momentum against Cayden Henschel. Henschel dictated every exchange, racking up points quickly until he closed the match with an 11 to 0 technical fall.
Alexis Gomez Rallies to Beat Bella Mir
One of the night’s biggest surprises involved Bella Mir, the daughter of Frank Mir and a 2028 Olympic hopeful. Bella Mir controlled the early scoring against Alexis Gomez, but the final stretch shifted dramatically.
Gomez hit a takedown late in the match and chained that into several rapid turns. The sequence flipped the score to 7 to 3 and handed Gomez an unexpected comeback win, only a short time after Mir had dominated their previous meeting.
Their developing rivalry now looks like one that could shape the future of women’s American wrestling.
