SUNRISE, Fla. – Bo Bassett already was fairly set that an MMA run was in his near-term future.
After Saturday, the tempting siren’s call of the UFC spotlight likely only will get louder for Bassett. The 19-year-old prep wrestling phenom won his second match under the fledgling Real American Freestyle banner at RAF 5 in South Florida.
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Bassett said the bright lights at Amerant Bank Arena, the venue the NHL’s Florida Panthers call home gave him the feeling of what it might be like to make the walk to the cage in the UFC some day.
“I think it’s very serious (that I’ll transition to MMA),” Bassett told MMA Junkie after his technical fall win over Cayden Henschel. “I really enjoy combat and one-on-one sports. I think that when you’re ‘the man in the arena,’ there’s nothing quite like that feeling, so (RAF 5) kind of gives you a feel of what a UFC fight would be like.”
Bassett was born into wrestling with a father who was a coach. At Bishop McCort Catholic in Johnstown, Pa., Bassett went undefeated. Critics of his success often pointed out he was held back a year in school, potentially aiding his high school wrestling resume.
But it’s been his performance on the international stages, and now with RAF, for which he’s won both his matches, that has people paying all kinds of attention. As the top wrestling recruit in the country, he committed to Virginia Tech for the 2026 season.
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But in the days leading up to RAF 5, he spent time with MMA fighters who gave him a glimpse into his future.
“I was at Kill Cliff earlier this week, and I’ve never been at such a high-level fight club or MMA gym,” Bassett said. “It was awesome to be around such high-level fighters. I have a lot to learn and a huge transition to make, but I’m going to try to start making it early and I’m pretty serious.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Bo Bassett looking forward to MMA, UFC potential after RAF 5 wrestling
