Jordan Burroughs signs with RAF, calls out Makhachev and Tsarukyan

Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs has signed with Real American Freestyle and wasted no time targeting the sport's elite.

RAF announced the addition of the six-time world champion wrestler on Wednesday, with Burroughs slated to debut at RAF 12 on August 22 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. The 37-year-old immediately set his sights on the lightweight division's top contenders.

"Give me Islam [Makhachev] and Arman [Tsarukyan] in the same night," Burroughs said, per MMA Mania.

RAF's summer schedule heats up with Burroughs addition

The promotion has stacked its summer calendar, starting with RAF 10 this weekend in St Louis where former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev faces jiu-jitsu grappler Dillon Danis. RAF 11 follows on July 18 in Milwaukee with UFC veterans Arman Tsarukyan taking on Colby Covington.

No opponent has been announced for Burroughs' Cleveland debut. RAF is expected to reveal additional matchups for the August card in the coming days.

Burroughs won Olympic gold at 74 kilograms in 2012 and captured world championship titles in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2021. His move to RAF addresses criticism that the promotion has relied too heavily on former UFC fighters rather than developing fresh talent from the wrestling world.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — RAF signs Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs, who promptly calls out ‘Islam and Arman in the same night’