Why Wrestler Jordan Burroughs Hasn't Transitioned Into MMA

Episode Summary

Main Topics

This episode delves into the unique career path of Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs, primarily focusing on his decision to abstain from transitioning into Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) despite strong internal consideration and external opportunities, largely due to his wife Lauren's influence and an acute awareness of the sport's inherent risks like head trauma. The discussion further explores the challenging landscape of professional wrestling as a sport, lamenting its lack of mainstream appeal and consistent rule sets compared to other sports, even drawing comparisons to niche activities like cornhole gaining more ESPN coverage. Additionally, the conversation touches upon the evolution of athletic careers, the role of the internet in creating celebrity, and the fundamental differences between wrestling's point-based objective and MMA's damage-centric approach.

Key Discussion Points

• Why Jordan Burroughs Eschewed MMA: Jordan Burroughs revealed he seriously contemplated an MMA career post-2012 London Olympics, planning to transition at age 25 after wrestling gold. However, his wife, Lauren, significantly influenced his decision to remain in wrestling, highlighting the comfort and success he already had in his sport, as well as the severe risk of head trauma inherent in MMA, a concern Burroughs himself acknowledges after witnessing injuries like "Platinum" Mike Perry's nose being split. He contrasted wrestling, where losses often mean being taken down or pinned, with fighting, where losses can lead to broken bones or unconsciousness.
• The Struggle for Professional Wrestling's Mainstream Recognition: The podcast critically examined the lack of mainstream attention for amateur and Olympic wrestling, expressing dismay that sports like golf, baseball, and even cornhole championships receive more ESPN coverage than genuine professional wrestling. Burroughs and Rogan discussed past attempts to create professional wrestling leagues, like the "Real Pro Wrestling" organization in the mid-2000s, which featured prominent wrestlers like Daniel Cormier and Rulon Gardner, but ultimately failed to gain traction despite the talent involved, leading to the use of "Olympic wrestling" to differentiate it from WWE-style entertainment.
• Complexity and Evolution of Wrestling Rules: A significant point of discussion centered on the constantly changing and subjective rule sets in wrestling, which make the sport incredibly difficult for casual fans to follow. Burroughs provided examples where minor nuances, such as hand placement, whether a knee is off the mat, or how an opponent is pushed out of bounds, can determine points. He even revealed that elite athletes like himself, before events like the Olympics, must attend briefings with referees and administration to understand the current year's specific rules, highlighting the sport's inherent challenge for broader audience engagement.
• The Internet's Impact on Fame and Athletics: The conversation touched on how the internet has democratized fame, allowing individuals to become superstars through viral content rather than necessarily through exceptional talent. They cited the example of the "cranberry juice skateboarder" who gained widespread recognition and opportunities simply by filming and uploading a moment. This phenomenon underscores a shift in how athletes and personalities can build an audience and career, contrasting with the traditional path of athletic achievement.
• Fundamental Differences Between Wrestling and MMA: The episode drew a clear distinction between the core objectives of wrestling and MMA. Burroughs articulated that wrestling focuses on scoring points with the least possible damage to the opponent, emphasizing technique and strategic control. Conversely, MMA, while requiring skill, ultimately aims to inflict damage, leading to knockouts, submissions, or significant injuries, making it a far more perilous career choice in terms of physical well-being.

Notable Moments

• Interesting Story/Anecdote: Joe Rogan and Jordan Burroughs discussed the legendary Rulon Gardner, an Olympic champion and former Cornhusker, who transitioned to MMA and fought in Japan. Burroughs shared that Gardner's MMA career was ultimately halted not by an opponent, but by losing a toe in a frostbite accident. They also recounted Gardner's iconic and mysterious victory over the seemingly invincible Alexander Karelin at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, attributing it to a specific rule change that allowed Gardner to score by merely breaking Karelin's grip.
• Surprising Fact/Revelation: Burroughs revealed that due to the frequent changes in wrestling rules, even Olympic-level athletes and their coaches must attend pre-tournament meetings with administrators and referees. These briefings are essential for competitors to stay current on the specific rule set in effect for that particular competition, illustrating the sport's high level of technical and regulatory complexity, even for its most experienced participants.
• Memorable Exchange: A particularly vivid moment came when Burroughs humorously contrasted losing in wrestling—getting taken down or pushed out—with losing in MMA, which can involve "something broken, choked out, tap, unconscious." Joe Rogan chimed in, highlighting the absurdity of "cornhole championships on ESPN" receiving more airtime than actual wrestling, sparking a discussion about the sport's undervalued position in popular media.

Key Takeaways

This episode provides a unique look into the mindset of an elite athlete like Jordan Burroughs, revealing the personal and professional considerations behind major career decisions, especially when facing the allure and risks of MMA. Listeners gain insight into the structural challenges facing Olympic wrestling, particularly its struggle for mainstream appeal due to complex and ever-changing rules, contrasting sharply with the marketing success of other sports. The conversation also highlights the evolving nature of celebrity in the digital age and offers a poignant comparison between the strategic, point-based nature of wrestling and the combative, damage-oriented reality of MMA, underscoring the severe physical sacrifices involved in the latter. The episode emphasizes the deep respect and understanding Burroughs has for both sports, even as he chose a path less prone to head trauma.