Tyron Woodley revealed who would be his dream opponent in Real American Freestyle (RAF). He expressed interest in facing Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs because of the significance of that matchup.
Woodley signed with the promotion and is aims to make a strong first impression when he returns to the wrestling mat.
Woodley, 44 has a strong collegiate wrestling background. The former UFC welterweight champion was a Big 12 Conference champion in 2003 and two-time NCAA Division 1 All-American.
‘The Chosen One’ already has two matchups scheduled. He will face Joaquin Buckley at RAF 12 on Aug. 22 and former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev at RAF Moscow on Sep. 5.
Ex-UFC Champion Tyron Woodley Explains Why He Wants to Wrestle Jordan Burroughs
Although he already has two matchups lined up, Woodley expressed interest in facing Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs.
“I’m always trying to go for the top. I see Jordan Burroughs in the division here, Olympic gold medalist. If I beat him, I beat an gold medalist then. I don’t care if it’s RAF, WWE, if you wrestle him and you beat him, you beat an Olympic gold medalist,” Woodley exclusively told Heavy Sports via Jackpot City Casino. “For me, I would change all five UFC belts for one Olympic gold medal. That was always my dream.”
Woodley would obviously enter a potential matchup with Burroughs as an underdog. However, an upset is not impossible. Merab Dvalishvili already proved that when he defeated Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo at RAF Georgia.
Woodley Weighs In on RAF’s Rapid Growth
Woodley also shared his thoughts on RAF’s rapid growth. The promotion celebrates its one-year anniversary event with RAF 12 this month.
RAF already hosted an international event in Georgia and will make its debut in Moscow, Russia. The promotion has also invested in the sport with RAF Next Gen, which aims to develop the next generation of wrestlers.
RAF also has a strong broadcast deal with FOX, who exclusively streams all its events on FOX Nation. The promotion has found a balance between showcasing MMA fighters with wrestling backgrounds and elite wrestlers who compete at the international level
The former UFC welterweight champion believes that RAF has proven there is strong interest in freestyle wrestling.
“When you look at somebody that’s doing this many matches, many high-profile people signing this many mixed martial artists, many events in different countries like Georgia and Russia, I feel like somebody loves wrestling and investing into this model,” Woodley exclusively told Heavy Sports via Jackpot City Casino. “It’s almost a proof of concept and I think I could say I think the concept has been proven. Every RAF event I went to has been packed.”
He continued:
“Wrestling finally looks lit. It’s one of the first Olympic sports ever and this is the first time it’s ever been showcased,” he said. “But now with the press conferences and some of the crazy matchups that you thought you would never thought you would see are coming into place. You got to tip your hat to RAF.”
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