Full Breakdown
Jordan Burroughs Praises Real American Freestyle Ahead of Debut
8/18/2026, 2:04:27 AM
RAF Debut and Burroughs' Endorsement
Olympic gold-medalist Jordan Burroughs is appearing on *Fox & Friends* as the Real American Freestyle (RAF) league approaches its one-year anniversary. He highlighted the league’s upcoming debut in Cleveland, describing it as a rare chance for veteran wrestlers to continue competing at a high level.
Background & Context
RAF was launched with the involvement of former professional-wrestling star Hulk Hogan and is marketed as the first freestyle-wrestling league built around long-term “sustainability.” Burroughs noted that most professional wrestling promotions have struggled to endure, making RAF’s model noteworthy within the sport.
Data & Statistics
- Gold medal, men’s 74 kg freestyle, 2012 London Olympics.
- Six freestyle-world titles and three Pan American Games gold medals.
- Holds the U.S. record for the most combined World and Olympic gold medals—seven—according to USA Wrestling.
Official Statements & Responses
He argued that post-collegiate wrestlers have limited pathways, often drifting to mixed-martial-arts gyms where the athlete age skews older. He also described the league’s success as “unusual for the sport,” emphasizing its potential to extend competitive opportunities beyond the traditional Olympic and World-Championship peaks.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Typically the average age of the Olympian or world championship team member is anywhere from 25 to 30. So at 38, I'm on the back side of my career, but RAF has given me an opportunity to get back into that.” — Jordan Burroughs
