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3 Olympic wrestlers that should transition to MMA

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3 Olympic wrestlers that should transition to MMA

As a dedicated gamer and follower of combat sports, I can’t help but be intrigued by the crossover potential between wrestling and MMA. With the increasing popularity of MMA and its overlap with Olympic wrestling, we’ve seen a trend of elite wrestlers considering making the transition to the cage.

As MMA gains more recognition, top fighters from various martial arts backgrounds increasingly train in multiple disciplines to pursue a professional MMA career once they’ve achieved success in their respective sports or fulfilled their Olympic aspirations.

As a gamer outside the United States, I can tell you that this year, we sadly won’t get to see Russia sending a formidable team of wrestlers to Paris for the Olympics. Two potential repeat gold medalists, Zaurbek Sidakov and Abdulrashid Sadulaev, are two colossal figures in the wrestling scene. Instead, they might shift their focus to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

Sidakov and Sadulaev boast impressive senior-level wrestling resumes, with numerous world title victories under their belts and wins against renowned opponents like Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Dake, and Kyle Snyder. Up next for Sidakov is a transition to MMA, while Sadulaev has been training with UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan.

Among the three individuals highlighted below, all hail from the impressive and skilled USA wrestling team. It’s worth noting that other combat sports like judo and boxing boast their own exceptional athletes. However, the depth and talent of this American wrestling squad are so remarkable that not a single standout Olympian from another discipline would create a significant impact in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) comparable to these three wrestlers.

3 Olympic wrestlers that should transition to MMA

Kyle Snyder

Three-time NCAA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist (in 2016 and 2020), with additional accolades of three-time World Champion, two silver medals, and two bronze medals at the World Championships.

When Kyle Snyder was only 20 years old, he surpassed Henry Cejudo’s achievement as the youngest American to win an Olympic gold medal in wrestling. Since making his debut on the senior-level circuit in 2015, Snyder has become a mainstay for Team USA. With an Olympic gold medal (2016) and three world titles under his belt, Snyder would be the most accomplished wrestler to make the switch to mixed martial arts.

3 Olympic wrestlers that should transition to MMA

Helen Maroulis

Achievements:

Helen, a three-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist in women’s wrestling from the United States, has made a significant mark on the sport over the last ten years. Her exceptional skills have earned her the title of one of the greatest American female wrestlers of all time. If she were to shift gears and join the mixed martial arts (MMA) scene, her unparalleled wrestling abilities would be a formidable force. However, given her history of multiple concussions during her wrestling career, it’s highly unlikely that we will see her enter the MMA ring. Nevertheless, fans from both wrestling and MMA worlds can indulge in intriguing speculations about how swiftly she would ascend to the top ranks.

3 Olympic wrestlers that should transition to MMA

Aaron Brooks

Accomplishments: The 6th ever 4x NCAA Champion, no previous senior-level world teams

At only 24 years old, Aaron Brooks is the youngest member of the U.S. men’s freestyle team with a strong likelihood of representing America in the Olympics for this cycle. Following his shocking victory against his former Penn State teammate David Taylor during the spring selection process, Brooks secured a spot on both the Olympic and World teams. With a potential gold medal win at the Paris Olympics, Aaron might be wrapping up his wrestling career and embarking on a new journey in MMA, following in the footsteps of his Penn State peers, Bo Nickal, who have already made their mark in the mixed martial arts world.

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2024-07-29 16:13

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