Burroughs On Why He Let MMA Dreams Die

Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs has ruled out a move to MMA despite years of speculation linking the decorated wrestler to the cage.

Burroughs, 38, told Ariel Helwani in a recent interview that he considered the jump seriously but ultimately decided the lifestyle would conflict with his values. The six-time world champion remains active in Real American Freestyle but acknowledged his window for elite competition is closing.

Why Burroughs Walked Away From MMA

According to BJ Penn, Burroughs said the appeal was surface-level rather than competitive. "At the heart of why I wanted to go to MMA was the glamour. It was the celebrities ringside; it was the big paydays. Global recognition; it wasn't the purity of it," he explained. "Being a Christian... I thought that transition would be more about what I could get and who I could become, and I just don't think it would have been good for my faith, for my family, or for my marriage. That lifestyle would not have been healthy for a family man."

Burroughs called it one of the hardest decisions of his life but said he holds no regrets. Several wrestlers from the Olympic and collegiate ranks have crossed over successfully in recent years, including Bo Nickal and Gable Steveson, who debuted at UFC 329 earlier this year.

Burroughs continues to compete in freestyle wrestling events. No timeline exists for his retirement from the mats.

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• BJPenn — Olympic legend Jordan Burroughs explains why he let ‘MMA dreams die’