It’s about that time! In the past couple of weeks, we’ve spent time loosely discussing Final X; however, it’s time to start talking about the individual matches themselves. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll break down all 20 Final X matchups - leading into the event itself on June 14th, from Newark, New Jersey.
Our next preview is in men’s freestyle at 86 kg. A pair of Senior world medalists clashing, the only time it will happen in men’s freestyle this year in Final X. Zahid Valencia versus Kyle Dake has the potential to be a classic Final X series. It’s also the only men’s series that we’ve seen before in Final X. That being said, their 2018 meeting is practically ancient history at this point and Valencia took their 2025 meeting at the US Open. With fewer mainstays of the men’s freestyle team participating in this event, could a Valencia win be another signal of a new era? Or an eighth straight team for Dake?
Prior Previews
86 kg men’s freestyle
Zahid Valencia vs. Kyle Dake
This has to be one of the most anticipated series of Final X. The US Open saw Valencia knock off Dake and forced the four-time world champion to win the World Team Trials to get a rematch and potentially make another world team.
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