The 2025 U.S. Open Wrestling Championships didn’t just deliver. It detonated. Held in Las Vegas, the fight capital of the world, the tournament left the American wrestling scene absolutely buzzing. With Final X looming in June and Team USA spots on the line, every weight class brought drama, but none more than the explosive 74 kg bracket. Two names have emerged from the chaos, destined for a collision that’s stirring up predictions from fans and legends alike: David Carr and Mitchell Mesenbrink.

Carr, fresh off a 9-8 win over Mesenbrink and riding the momentum of an NCAA title and international hardware, has eyes locked on the world stage. But Mesenbrink isn’t just another contender. He’s a relentless force with unfinished business. Their rematch at Final X could very well be the fight of the night… maybe even the year. And now, stepping into the spotlight with his trademark fire and bold takes, MMA icon and wrestling analyst Chael Sonnen has weighed in on what to expect. And let’s just say, he didn’t hold back.

FloWrestling took to X with a tease that instantly caught the wrestling world’s attention, “Uncle Chael is predicting a tight Final X series between Mesenbrink and Carr. What do you think?” As always, Chael Sonnen brought the fire. And the nuance. “David Carr knows when to win. It might not be in the conference championship, but it will be in the semi-finals and it will be when it’s for the gold,” Sonnen began. For longtime Carr fans, this is gospel. The 2024 NCAA champ has a knack for showing up when it matters most, peaking in high-pressure moments with international composure few can match. But Sonnen wasn’t letting Carr off the hook just yet.

Reflecting on the U.S. Open, where Mesenbrink delivered a statement win, Sonnen added, “When he was walking out there at the U.S. Open, I knew that was going to be a one-sided a– whipping for Mesenbrink, but Carr will do those now and then. Almost to throw you off his trail and it does something to him inside. It re-vitigrates him.” The remark captures the enigmatic nature of Carr’s competitive arc. He’s had dips in form before. Only to come back sharper, more focused. But with Mesenbrink in top gear, is that bounce-back enough? That’s the million-dollar question. Because Mesenbrink’s U.S. Open run wasn’t just dominant. It was surgical. Representing the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, he breezed through the bracket with a string of technical fall victories, including a ruthless 12-1 beatdown over Quincy in the semis.

And when he faced Carr in the final? He flipped the NCAA script. With relentless pace and pressure, Mesenbrink scored a decisive 16-6 win. Cementing his claim to the Final X ticket. Yet even with all this momentum, Sonnen remains cautiously skeptical, “Is it enough that he can go get two wins over Mesenbrink? That’s going to be tough to do. I can only promise you it’s going to be very different matches. Very different matches.” And with both men headed for collision once again, wrestling fans are guaranteed fireworks.

Mesenbrink’s redemption arc meets Carr’s world-class calm

Mitchell Mesenbrink’s rise to the top of college wrestling almost never happened. After initially entering the transfer portal, the young contender at 165 lbs found himself emotionally drained and on the verge of walking away from the sport entirely. “Honestly, what happened the first time with having to enter the transfer portal, I never wanted it to happen again,” he admitted in a candid interview on Nickals and Dimes. The breakthrough came during a visit to Penn State. An encounter with Olympic legend Cael Sanderson that reignited his passion for wrestling and set him on the path to an NCAA title. That moment of doubt, as painful as it was, became the pivot that reshaped his career.

“I want to enjoy the sport. If I’m not going to enjoy it… I was going to be done,” Mesenbrink recalled. That brutally honest reflection is a reminder that even the most gifted athletes can feel the weight of burnout. Yet the environment at Penn State, combined with the daily grind of training among the nation’s best, helped Mesenbrink reframe his drive. Now, with the NCAA crown in hand and Final X on the horizon, he’s not only re-emerged as a top collegiate force. He’s fast becoming a contender in the senior freestyle circuit, scrapping toe-to-toe with world-class talent. The fire that almost extinguished him has now become his competitive fuel.

While Mesenbrink sharpened his edge through personal reflection, David Carr has taken a different route. One rooted in calm resolve and international camaraderie. After a statement win over Japan’s Daichi Takatani at FloWrestling Night in America, Carr was asked about representing Team USA. His answer? Pure class. “No, he’s super cool. I introduced myself when I first saw him and talked to him a little bit. I don’t have any enemies, you know—I don’t believe in having enemies.” Carr’s journey, from high school stardom to NCAA greatness and now Final X preparation, shows the grace he brings to the mat. And as he prepares to face Mesenbrink once again, the showdown isn’t just about styles. It’s about two wrestlers shaped by entirely different trials, both arriving with something to prove.