When Ben Askren challenged Jordan Burroughs to an exhibition match at Beat the Streets, it was a victory for the sport of wrestling. A two-time Hodge Trophy winner, 2008 Olympian, Bellator MMA and ONE Championship titleholder, Askren has become one of the most recognizable names in the combat sports world.
While Jordan Burroughs is working on his sixth gold medal at the World or Olympic level, his fame is largely within the wrestling bubble. Perhaps he truly felt he could add to his own legend by giving Burroughs a tough match, but ultimately the callout was a generous act by “Funky” Ben Askren.