For a few minutes earlier this week the MMA and wrestling worlds collided when Jordan Burroughs, one of the most well-regarded American wrestlers in history, faced off with UFC welterweight contender and former Olympic wrestler Ben Askren in New York City.
Burroughs won the match with relative ease, taking an 11-0 technical fall after around 6 minutes of action in which he landed two high-octane takedowns on Askren. The result of the exhibition match was pretty much as expected, with Askren around 9 years removed from being a full-time wrestler. Burroughs, meanwhile, is five years younger and chasing a spot on the American team for next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The bout garnered huge interest online, arguably enhancing both men’s reputations and as such, Burroughs penned a message on Instagram to pay tribute to his opponent.
“I was a 19-year-old college sophomore when I met Ben Askren for the first time.
“Fresh off a historic collegiate career, Ben was widely recognized as the best wrestler of his era regardless of weight – he was an icon in a sport lacking big personality. Less than a year after graduating, he made the 2008 Olympic team at 163 pounds, my current weight class.
“Meanwhile I was a 150-pound kid on the USA junior team, sitting on the edge of the mat during Olympic Team practice, hoping to no only pick up some technique, but maybe get to rub shoulders with some Olympians. As I sat in that sweaty wrestling room on those humid summer afternoons watching them prepare for the Games, my Olympic aspirations were born. Little did anyone know that I was going to be the man that would succeed Ben Askren.
“Fast forward more than 10 years to this past Monday night. Both Ben and I walked down the stairs of the 200 selection of the Hulu Theatre heading for the raised mat on a platform in an area we were the headliners.
“Ben, the wrestling icon turned MMA superstar. Me, once just a young matside dreamer turned wrestling superstar. And more than 6,000 fans to watch it all go down.
“Regardless of the result, I knew this year’s Beat the Streets event was going to be epic.
“To Ben – What you and I were able to do Monday night was incredible. Thank you for you willingness to put your reputation, and more importantly your health on the line for the sake of the sport that bread you.
“For a few hours, the wrestling and MMA worlds stood still, and together, and wondered if you’d be able to – as you’ve done many times in the past – shock the world. But instead you got double-legged, more than once. All jokes aside, this match truly wasn’t about winning or losing, but rather supporting young kids in need and growing our sport. Because of your willingness to step toe-to-toe with me, countless new eyes have been drawn to wrestling.
“Something Ben said at Sunday’s press conference that really resonated with me. ‘Stepping up to a challenge doesn’t mean just saying yes when you know you can win,’ he said, ‘but saying yes even when you know that you could get your butt kicked.’
“That’s heart. Respect.”
Ben Askren will face Jorge Masvidal on the main card of UFC 239 in Las Vegas on June 6.
