Larry Wheels Announces Combat Sports Debut, Training for RAF match in August
Larry Wheels is officially stepping into the world of combat sports. The powerlifting and bodybuilding star announced that he will make his wrestling debut at RAF Wrestling 12 on August 22 in Cleveland, Ohio. Wheels revealed the news during a recent RAF event before later confirming the matchup on social media, where he said that he is looking forward to embracing the challenge and improving his skills on the mat.
The social media powerhouse will face fellow influencer Mike Holston, better known to millions of fans as “The Real Tarzan.”
“August 22nd, I’ll be making my wrestling debut at RAF12. I’m looking forward to learning, improving, and embracing every part of this journey. See you on the mats in Cleveland.”
Larry Wheels vs. Mike Holston Brings Massive Social Media Audience to RAF
The matchup pits two of the internet’s biggest fitness and lifestyle personalities against one another.
Wheels has built a global following through his feats of strength, powerlifting records, bodybuilding appearances, and viral training content. Holston is an exotic animal expert who went viral for his workouts – and hangouts with big cats and snakes.
According to RAF Wrestling, the pair bring a combined audience of more than 23 million followers.
During his appearance at RAF 10, Wheels didn’t shy away from calling out his future opponent.
“Tarzan is known for wrestling cats and snakes, but let’s see how he can handle a real animal.”
While Wheels will likely enjoy a significant size advantage, he openly admitted that the transition from lifting weights to wrestling has been a humbling experience.
“It’s no secret my cardio needs a lot of work…After rolling around these last few weeks I realize it needs even more than I ever thought.”
What Is RAF Wrestling?
RAF Wrestling is one of the newest promotions attempting to bring freestyle wrestling to a mainstream audience through a blend of elite athletes, combat sports stars, influencers, and celebrity matchups. The promotion has quickly generated attention for pairing accomplished wrestlers with recognizable personalities from outside the sport.
The league was launched with the involvement of late wrestling icon Hulk Hogan and veteran wrestling promoter, executive producer and WWE personality Eric Bischoff. Since its debut, RAF has featured a mix of high-level wrestling talent and crossover attractions designed to introduce new audiences to the sport.
The aim: pro wrestling-style story, but real-life stakes and grappling.
Larry Wheels Has Been Training With MMA and Wrestling Talent
Although Wheels is best known for strength sports rather than combat sports, he has spent recent years experimenting with a variety of athletic pursuits.
The 250-pound athlete has previously explored boxing and combat-focused training, including highly publicized sessions with elite fighters and grapplers.
One of the most notable moments came during a livestreamed training session with former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. The encounter quickly demonstrated the gap between world-class combat athletes and even the strongest strength athletes, as Dvalishvili forced Wheels to quickly tap during their grappling exchange.
The experience appears to have sparked a greater appreciation for the conditioning and technical demands of wrestling.
Wheels referenced those training experiences while discussing his upcoming RAF debut, acknowledging that strength alone won’t be enough once the match begins.
Can Strength Translate to Success on the Wrestling Mat?
For years, fans have wondered how one of the strongest and most muscular athletes on social media would fare in a legitimate grappling environment.
Wheels possesses extraordinary power, but wrestling rewards technique, leverage, timing, and endurance just as much as raw strength.
That reality is something Wheels himself has already recognized through training.
Still, his willingness to step outside his comfort zone has become one of the defining themes of his career. Whether competing in powerlifting, bodybuilding, arm wrestling, boxing training, or now freestyle wrestling, Wheels has consistently embraced new challenges in front of millions of followers.
On August 22, fans will finally get to see how those skills translate when he faces Mike Holston at RAF Wrestling 12 in Cleveland.
Featured image via Instagram @larrywheels
