In a stunning display of dominance, Stephen Buchanan just delivered a 10-0 shutout against Olympic silver medalist Yoel Romero, leaving the wrestling world buzzing with excitement—and a bold challenge to none other than Jon Jones. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Buchanan’s meteoric rise enough to warrant a showdown with one of MMA’s greatest legends? Let’s dive in.
Originally slated to face Pat Downey at RAF 5, Buchanan’s opponent shifted to Romero after the latter missed weight for his bout with Bo Nickal. Yet, Buchanan didn’t flinch. He opened the match with a relentless pace, securing two takedowns in the first period that set the tone for a lopsided victory. By the second period, a swift two-point score sealed the deal, handing Romero a technical fall defeat. And this is the part most people miss: Buchanan’s seamless transition from folkstyle to freestyle wrestling—a shift he’s only been training for six months—is nothing short of remarkable.
Post-match, Buchanan didn’t hold back. “I’m competing nationally at 97 kilos, but I’d love to share the mats with Wyatt Hendrickson, Gable Steveson, or even Jon Jones,” he declared. Bold words, but are they backed by enough experience? Romero, for his part, was gracious in defeat, acknowledging Buchanan’s strength and skill. “No excuses,” Romero said. “The young man is really strong.”
Breaking down the match, Buchanan’s strategy was clinical. He struck first with a single-leg takedown, immediately putting Romero on the defensive. Moments later, another takedown and a pair of turns extended his lead to 8-0 by the end of the first period. Romero struggled to mount any offense, relying mostly on hand fighting, and Buchanan capitalized with a final two-point takedown to end the match decisively.
With this 10-0 victory in his RAF debut, Buchanan isn’t just making waves—he’s sending a message. As he sets his sights on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, the question remains: Can he sustain this momentum on the international stage? And more controversially, is Jon Jones the next logical step, or is Buchanan biting off more than he can chew? Let us know what you think in the comments—this debate is far from over.
