Even relative to the most credentialed folkstyle wrestlers in modern UFC history like Johny Hendricks and Ben Askren, Gregor Gillespie’s college career deserves to be held in the highest esteem.
It’s not that it’s unheard of to see a four-time NCAA Division 1 All-American and one-time national champion in MMA. Another Edinboro wrestler (shout out to Coach Tim Flynn) Josh Koscheck won a title his junior year and never placed lower than fourth, while Phil Davis went 7th, 2nd, and 5th in his first three seasons, winning a national championship for Penn State as a senior.