The 2025 Final X series is set to deliver fireworks, and perhaps no matchup is more intriguing than the showdown at 57 kg between Olympic silver medalist Spencer Lee and rising phenom Luke Lilledahl. On June 14 at the Prudential Center in Newark, these two dynamic wrestlers will battle in a best-of-three series to determine who will represent the United States at the 2025 World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia.
Spencer Lee: The Reigning King
Spencer Lee has been a household name in American wrestling since his high school days, and he’s only added to his legend. A three-time NCAA Champion and two-time Hodge Trophy winner at the University of Iowa, Lee has translated his folkstyle dominance into international freestyle success.
Now 26 years old, Lee enters Final X as the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the world at 57 kg following Rei Higuchi’s retirement from international competition. Since then, he has taken gold at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix and Zagreb Open, notching wins over elite opponents like Roman Bravo-Young and Islam Bazarganov.
Lee is known for his unrelenting pace, airtight hand-fighting, and ruthless top-game turns. His par terre offense remains one of the most feared weapons in international wrestling. With a silver medal already under his belt from the 2024 Paris Olympics, Lee is hungry for more—and he’s expected to bring a laser focus into Newark.
Luke Lilledahl: The Rising Star
On the other side of the mat stands 19-year-old Luke Lilledahl, one of the brightest young stars in American wrestling. The Penn State true freshman impressed in his first collegiate season, earning All-American honors with a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships.
But it’s on the freestyle circuit where Lilledahl has truly shone. He’s already captured U17 and U20 World titles, and he steamrolled the competition at the 2025 U.S. Open to earn his Final X berth.
Lilledahl wrestles with speed, precision, and a maturity beyond his years. His ankle picks and counter-attacks have proven difficult to stop, and he’s shown steady improvement every time he steps on the mat. While he lost to Lee via 11-0 tech fall at the 2023 Bill Farrell Memorial, his evolution since then has been dramatic.
He’s not coming to Newark to just compete—he’s coming to win.
What to Expect in Newark
This matchup is a textbook case of experience versus youth.
Lee, the seasoned veteran, has been battle-tested at the highest levels of competition. He knows how to manage pressure, control pace, and score when it matters most. Lilledahl, the rising contender, is entering this bout with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Lee has spoken respectfully about Lilledahl in the lead-up to Final X, noting the strides the young wrestler has made over the last year. Lilledahl, in turn, sees this opportunity as a launching pad—a chance to shock the world and punch his ticket to his first Senior World Championships.
Expect Lee to push the pace early, using his ties and underhooks to control positioning. But don’t be surprised if Lilledahl keeps things tight and looks to capitalize on a flurry or scramble. If he can survive Lee’s top game, Lilledahl may have a window to make this series interesting.
Final Thoughts
This 57 kg Final X series is more than a world team qualifier—it’s a passing-of-the-torch opportunity. Whether Spencer Lee solidifies his status as the face of American freestyle or Luke Lilledahl begins a new era, wrestling fans are in for a thrilling matchup.
Don’t blink. This one could define the next decade of wrestling at 57 kilograms.
Final X takes place Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. The event will be streamed live on FloWrestling.
