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Ahead of his Real American Freestyle (RAF) debut, wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs is reflecting on his career, longevity and the sport’s future.
The Olympic gold medalist joined “Fox & Friends” as RAF approaches its one-year anniversary on Fox Nation, demonstrating some of his signature moves. He praised the organization for giving older competitors a second chance in the sport they love.
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FILE – In this April 10, 2016, Jordan Burroughs celebrates after beating Andrew Howe in their 75-kilogram freestyle finals match at the U.S. Olympic Wrestling team trials in Iowa City, Iowa. Burroughs burst onto the international scene in 2011, winning a world title just six months after leaving the University of Nebraska. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File))
“I’m getting older, so I’m past my prime,” he said. “Typically the average age of the Olympian or world championship team member is anywhere from 25 to 30. So at 38, I’m on the back side of my career, but RAF has given me an opportunity to get back into that.”
Burroughs noted the success of RAF is unusual for the sport. He explained how the league is the first of its kind to have “sustainability.”
“It’s hard — I’ve seen a lot of professional wrestling leagues fail,” he said. “The pinnacle of wrestling, at least freestyle wrestling, has always been the Olympic Games and the World Championship.”
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Jordan Burroughs (right) wrestles Jason Nolf (left) in a 74-kilogram challenge round championship bout during the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at the Bryce Jordan Center on April 19, 2024, in State College, Pennsylvania. Nolf won by decision, 3-0. (IMAGN)
Burroughs also discussed the limited options available to wrestlers after their college careers end.
“Most wrestlers start at a very young age, but post-collegiately you don’t really have a lot of options,” he said. “You go to the average jiu-jitsu studio, you see the average age of an athlete there is probably 30 to 40 years old. But wrestlers are all kids, right? And so we’re trying to create a way to sustain excellence over a long period of time. I think RAF has done a great job.”
Burroughs has compiled a lengthy list of achievements during his career. After capturing two national championships with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, he earned a gold medal in the men’s 74-kilogram freestyle competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
He has also claimed six freestyle wrestling world titles, three Pan American Games gold medals and multiple Pan American Wrestling Championships titles. Burroughs holds the U.S. record for the most combined World and Olympic gold medals, with seven, according to USA Wrestling.
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Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan helped found Real American Freestyle, which blends Olympic-style wrestling with a stylized presentation. (FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)
To tune in to his anticipated Real American Freestyle debut in Cleveland on Aug. 22, make sure to subscribe to Fox Nation to stream RAF 12.
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