Heavyweight Wrestling Clash: Anatoly Malykhin vs. Pouya Rahmani
Undefeated Iranian contender Pouya Rahmani meets former ONE multi-division champion Anatoly Malykhin in a pure heavyweight freestyle wrestling match at RAF Moscow.
Real American Freestyle has booked an intriguing heavyweight matchup for its Moscow event: former ONE Championship multi-division titleholder Anatoly Malykhin will wrestle undefeated Iranian contender Pouya Rahmani.
There are no MMA gloves and no strikes in this contest. The two powerful heavyweights must settle the matchup under professional freestyle wrestling rules.
## The Competitors
Russia’s Anatoly Malykhin is a Master of Sport in freestyle wrestling, known for explosive power doubles, heavy hand-fighting and punishing top pressure. His championship experience in MMA also gives him a proven ability to stay composed in high-pressure exchanges.
Pouya Rahmani is a former Iranian national wrestling champion and World Beach Games gold medalist. He brings quick level changes, technical hand control and relentless chain wrestling, alongside an undefeated professional MMA record.
## Keys to the Match
- Styles make the matchup: Malykhin wants to drive forward behind powerful takedowns, while Rahmani is most effective when snapping opponents down, controlling ties and creating angles.
- Pace versus power: Malykhin’s early burst is the immediate danger, especially in Moscow. If Rahmani survives the opening surge and extends the match, his conditioning and chain wrestling could become decisive.
- The scrambles: Rahmani’s clearest path is to neutralize the first attack and force long, technical exchanges in which position and re-attacks matter more than raw power.
## Event Details
RAF Moscow is scheduled for September 5, 2026, in Moscow, Russia.
There are no MMA gloves and no strikes in this contest. The two powerful heavyweights must settle the matchup under professional freestyle wrestling rules.
## The Competitors
Russia’s Anatoly Malykhin is a Master of Sport in freestyle wrestling, known for explosive power doubles, heavy hand-fighting and punishing top pressure. His championship experience in MMA also gives him a proven ability to stay composed in high-pressure exchanges.
Pouya Rahmani is a former Iranian national wrestling champion and World Beach Games gold medalist. He brings quick level changes, technical hand control and relentless chain wrestling, alongside an undefeated professional MMA record.
## Keys to the Match
- Styles make the matchup: Malykhin wants to drive forward behind powerful takedowns, while Rahmani is most effective when snapping opponents down, controlling ties and creating angles.
- Pace versus power: Malykhin’s early burst is the immediate danger, especially in Moscow. If Rahmani survives the opening surge and extends the match, his conditioning and chain wrestling could become decisive.
- The scrambles: Rahmani’s clearest path is to neutralize the first attack and force long, technical exchanges in which position and re-attacks matter more than raw power.
## Event Details
RAF Moscow is scheduled for September 5, 2026, in Moscow, Russia.