The 2025 US Open Men’s Freestyle Finals in Las Vegas just got wild, with a seismic upset in the 125 kg bracket stealing the spotlight, setting up an unexpected finals showdown. The twist: top seed Hayden Zillmer, a Gopher Wrestling Club standout, fell to 8th-seeded Demetrius Thomas of the Bears Regional Training Center, who stunned fans by reaching the finals. But how did Thomas, a relative unknown, topple the top seed? 

Well, day one of the U.S. Open is in the books, and while the usual suspects are looking strong, fans got to see an absolute jaffa on the mat! EIGHTH-SEEDED Demetrius took down TOP-SEEDED Hayden Zillmer in an unbelievable 6-6 barnburner! Things got pretty intense in the Zillmer-Thomas quarterfinal, when it came down to the wire, tied 6-6 on criteria. In the closing seconds, Zillmer attempted a throw and appeared to score two points for an 8-6 lead. However, Thomas challenged the call, and after review, the reversal came down – no points were awarded. The match ended 6-6 on criteria, giving Thomas the stunning upset victory. What a finish! But what does this big surprise bring to the table?

Thomas’s improbable run now pits him against NCAA Champion Wyatt Hendrickson in the finals, as confirmed by Justin Basch’s X post on April 26. The very same Wyatt Hendrickson who toppled arguably one of the best NCAA wrestlers in history, Gable Steveson at the NCAA finals with a 5-4 score. Hendrickson, who advanced with a 10-4 decision over Trent Hillger, is eyeing a Final X spot on June 14 for the World Championships.

The finals, airing Saturday at 9 PM Eastern on FloWrestling, also feature stacked matchups like Kyle Dake vs. Zahid Valencia at 86 kg and Kyle Snyder vs. Jay Aiello at 97 kg. A win secures a Final X spot for the World Championships. The Expo at South Point is electric, with Hendrickson’s pinning prowess meeting Thomas’s gritty underdog story in a heavyweight clash for the ages. Can Thomas defy the odds again? 

What went down on Day 1 

Day 1 of the 2025 US Open in Las Vegas was a wrestling fan’s dream, with upsets and dominant runs lighting up The Expo. At 57 kg, Luke Lilledahl, a top seed, cruised past Nico Provo in a lopsided win, setting up a finals clash with Nebraska’s Liam Cronin, who upset Daniel DeShazer 4-1 with a second-period takedown. Cronin’s toughness makes him a threat—can he derail Lilledahl’s title hopes?

Meanwhile, at 61 kg, Seth Gross outsmarted Marcus Blaze, avenging a prior loss with strategic adjustments, despite Blaze’s leg attacks. Gross now faces high school junior Jax Forrest, who stunned Ben Davino in the semis, showcasing elite defense and scoring bursts. Forrest’s rise has been meteoric—will Gross’s experience tip the scales?

Over at 125 kg, Wyatt Hendrickson, a 2023 U23 World Champion, battled past Trent Hillger, giving up a four-pointer but responding with two takedowns and two gut wrenches. He’ll face Demetrius Thomas, who upset 2022 World Team member Hayden Zillmer 6-6 on criteria. How will this heavyweight showdown unfold? It’s the U.S. Open. Finals are set in men’s freestyle. If you know, you know—what surprises await?