By IMMAF.org lead writer, Jorden Curran
USA wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs recently stopped by during filming of the UFC’s latest season of The Ultimate Fighter – currently enjoying its 27th series.
A global star, the 29-year-old Burroughs is a four-time Freestyle Wrestling World Champion and won gold at the 2012 London Olympics.
TUF 27 is set to feature a cast of undefeated Lightweight (155lbs) and Featherweight (145lbs) prospects, coached by UFC Heavyweight World Champion Stipe Miocic and Light-Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier, who are set to collide at UFC 226 on July 7 in a super fight for the UFC’s Heavyweight crown, taking place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, USA.
Cormier, who also represented the USA as a Freestyle wrestler at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, and took bronze at the 2007 World Championships, welcomed Burroughs to honor his team with some masterful tips and insight. Burroughs even teased his own transition to MMA via social media.
Burroughs would not be the first Olympic gold medalist to enter the world of mixed martial arts. Top UFC Flyweight contender Henry Cejudo also clinched gold in Freestyle Wrestling for the USA at the 2008 Beijing Games.
In addition, double Olympic judo Champion Kayla Harrison continues preparing for her highly anticipated MMA debut later this year. Her fellow judo icon, Satoshi Ishii, transitioned to MMA back in 2009 after winning the 2008 Olympic title for Japan.
Of all Olympians who have transitioned to MMA, it is of course Ronda Rousey who has made the greatest impact. Rousey inspiried a generation in becoming UFC Bantamweight Champion and transcended further to reach mainstream stardom. The Judoka competed twice for the USA Olympic team, earning bronze in 2008.
Other top MMA standouts with Olympic experience include wrestling silver medal winners Sara McMann (USA) and Yoel Romero (Cuba), plus judokas Dan Kelly (Australia) and Hector Lombard (Cuba), and wrestlers including the undefeated Ben Askren (USA) and MMA legend Dan Henderson (USA).
