In the wild world of wrestling, there’s nothing quite like the buzz around Yianni Diakomihalis and PJ Duke’s showdown at the 2025 Final X. Off the mat, these two are as tight as can be. Yianni, a four-time NCAA champ and a World silver medalist, has known PJ since PJ was just a seventh-grader, training together back in Yianni’s hometown. Now, PJ is a Penn State superstar in the making with a U20 World bronze under his belt, and he’s got a ton of respect and camaraderie with Yianni. But what happens when that whistle blows and friendship has to take a backseat to fierce competition?

As both these incredible athletes gear up for this massive Final X match, the pressure is through the roof. It’s all going down on June 14th at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., where this best-of-three series will decide who represents the U.S. Senior World Team at 65 kilograms. Yianni, with his incredible track record, is facing off against PJ, who’s been making serious waves with his slick moves and relentless drive. The anticipation is absolutely buzzing, but it’s UFC legend Chael Sonnen’s recent take that’s really stirred the pot.

“‘Nice’, Yanni won’t be at X”, Sonnen dropped a bombshell on X, saying, “I’ve only see Yanni loose to 2 guys based on wrestling. Iranian for Gold and Trials to Zain. Any other time Yanni didn’t win was because he found himself in a match that turned out to be harder than he thought it was going to be. He knows Duke ” Sonnen’s words paint a picture of a Yianni who’s going to be a completely different animal, someone who won’t let personal feelings get in the way. But can PJ, with all his rising talent, prove that prediction wrong?

As the date gets closer, the entire wrestling world is watching, wondering if PJ can pull off an upset or if Yianni will indeed dominate just like Sonnen predicts. What will this epic battle truly reveal about their rivalry? 

Yianni is determined to win, while Duke feels ‘honored’ to fight his idol

The stage is absolutely electric for a showdown that mixes deep respect with fierce ambition, as Yianni Diakomihalis and PJ Duke get ready to face off at the 2025 Final X. Yianni, a four-time NCAA champ, has made it clear he’s ready to bring the heat. “So I’m gonna come in there and wrestle him like my world championship is on the line because it is,” he declared, really driving home how big this June 14th match at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., truly is.

This best-of-three series at 65 kilograms will crown the U.S. Senior World Team representative, a prize both wrestlers are desperate to snag. But what does this epic clash mean for Duke, who used to look up to Diakomihalis like a hero?

For Duke, a Penn State signee, this match is both a dream come true and a massive challenge. As a young wrestler, he grew up watching Yianni dominate on the big stages, often chasing him down for autographs on his gear. “I remember when I was little, I would run up to him and get my stuff signed by him,” Duke reminisced during an interview at the USA Wrestling World Team Trials.

Now, he’s about to face his childhood idol in a battle for a spot at the 2025 World Wrestling Championships. “Yianni’s one of those people I looked up to my whole youth and middle school career,” Duke told reporters. “Yianni’s one of the best wrestlers I’ve ever seen, so to be able to compete against him, I’m so honored.” With so much admiration mixed into this rivalry, can Duke possibly turn that respect into a huge victory?