2026 Final X Preview: 97 kg MFS Kyle Snyder vs. Stephen Buchanan

It’s about that time! In the past couple of weeks, we’ve spent time having loose discussions about 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 19th, from Newark, New Jersey.

Prior Previews

57 kg MFS

61 kg MFS

65 kg MFS

70 kg MFS

74 kg MFS

79 kg MFS

86 kg MFS

92 kg MFS

50 kg WFS

53 kg WFS

55 kg WFS

57 kg WFS

59 kg WFS

62 kg WFS

65 kg WFS

97 kg men’s freestyle

The one constant presence on the US Senior men’s freestyle team over the last decade has been Kyle Snyder. Snyder has made every world and Olympic team since 2015 and has earned medals in 10 of those 11 appearances. In 2025, Snyder returned to the top of the medal stand, as he captured his fourth world title - three years after winning his third. This will be Snyder’s sixth Final X appearance and Stephen Buchanan represents his fifth opponent during that run.

Buchanan won the 2025 NCAA 197 lbs national title for Iowa, but is really getting his freestyle career started in 2026. With wins in his first two international tournaments, Buchanan has proven to be a great Senior level prospect. In the finals of the Zagreb Open, Buchanan took out the legendary Iranian Hassan Yazdani.

At some point, Snyder has to slow down, right? Time is undefeated and there has to be a successor to Snyder. Is Buchanan that guy? Nothing that we’ve seen from Snyder over the last year would indicate that he’s ready to relinquish his spot atop the domestic ladder at 97 kg.

How They Got Here

Snyder: Because Snyder was a 2025 world champion and returned to the 97 kg weight class, he automatically advanced to Final X.

Buchanan: Buchanan clinched his spot in Final X after an impressive showing at the US Open. In the semifinals, Buchanan posted a 10-0 tech fall over reigning U20 world champion Justin Rademacher. For the title, Buchanan got by one of Snyder’s former Final X opponents, Hayden Zillmer, by a 5-3 margin.

Recent Form

Snyder: In his only international competition of 2026, Snyder took third at the Muhamet Malo. That shouldn’t be a concern, even in his best years,  Snyder might drop a match or two ahead of the world championships. He knows how to prepare himself and bounce back from a loss. Snyder has also kept himself busy with Real American Freestyle. Over the last three months, he has taken matches against world medalists and has emerged victorious each time.

Buchanan: Buchanan got his Senior freestyle career started with a win at the Henri DeGlane followed by the Zagreb Open, a few weeks later. After winning the Open, Buchanan was selected to compete at the Pan-American Championships. He ended up second after suffering a loss to Cuba’s Arturo Silot Torres. That tells us he can beat some of the best in the world, but will have to get consistent against those top contenders.

Prior History

This will be the first meeting between Snyder and Buchanan.

Keys to Victory

The key to this series should be Snyder’s hand fighting. Can Buchanan deal with it? That combined with his pace and gas tank has made some of the best wrestlers in the world wilt, regularly. The RAF 08 matchup with Kazakh world champion Rizabek Aitmukhan is the latest example. This is an aspect that will be difficult for Buchanan to prepare for. If Buchanan can handle this onslaught, he might be able to pull the upset.