Cerrone and Pettis Will Wrestle at RAF 15
Donald Cerrone and Anthony Pettis will compete in a wrestling match at the NOW Arena on November 28, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
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Donald Cerrone and Anthony Pettis are set to face off in a wrestling match at RAF 15 on Nov. 28, 2026. This matchup at the NOW Arena in Chicago marks the RAF debut for both veteran fighters.
Why it matters
The match renews a long-standing competitive rivalry between the two fighters who previously met twice in the UFC. It serves as a featured attraction for the promotion as both athletes transition into this new format of combat sports.
Anthony Pettis holds two career victories over Donald Cerrone, including a 2013 knockout and a 2020 decision at UFC 249. Cerrone concludes his career record following a final seven-fight winless streak in the UFC.
The players
Donald Cerrone
He is a veteran mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC until 2022.
Anthony Pettis
He is a former professional fighter who last competed in the PFL in 2022.
RAF
This is a combat sports promotion that features events broadcast on Fox Nation.
The details
The announcement confirms that the pair will square off in a wrestling-specific ruleset, stepping away from the traditional MMA cage environment they occupied for years. This event will be broadcast on Fox Nation.
Timeline
Pettis defeated Cerrone via knockout in 2013.
Pettis secured a decision victory against Cerrone at UFC 249 in 2020.
Both fighters last competed in professional MMA in 2022.
Pettis recorded a unanimous decision win over Chris Avila in 2024.
The match takes place at the NOW Arena on Nov. 28, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This bout marks a significant departure from standard MMA programming by focusing on a pure wrestling showcase between two former top-tier contenders. The match highlights an industry trend of veteran fighters utilizing specialized rulesets to maintain high-profile presence in the combat sports ecosystem.
Fans can expect a shift in engagement toward a wrestling-focused ruleset rather than traditional striking-heavy MMA metrics. The event will be available to viewers via the Fox Nation platform.
The takeaway
This event highlights how veteran athletes continue to find relevance in combat sports through high-profile exhibition matches. Fans of both fighters should look to the Fox Nation broadcast for access to this wrestling-focused format.
Further reading
For more on the current landscape of regional combat sports, visit the Mixed Martial Arts section.
Live Poll
Would you watch a wrestling match featuring retired MMA fighters?
