Before Ben Askren returns for his second UFC fight in July, he’s got someone else in front of him.
Askren, one of the most decorated collegiate wrestlers in history, will take part in a charity wrestling match next month against another all-time great: Jordan Burroughs.
The two Olympians will take part in the Beat the Streets “Grapple at the Garden” event on May 6 in New York at Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden, it was announced today. According to the official announcement, “Beat the Streets, the largest grassroots inner city wrestling program in the United States, serving as both a fundraiser for the organization and to celebrate its athletes as they compete on the biggest stage in the center of the world.”
Askren was a two-time national champion in college at Arizona State University. He finished his college career with a 153-8 record. But Askren has made his mark in MMA as a former champion for Bellator and ONE Championship. In March, after a short-lived retirement, he m ade his UFC debut with a submission win over Robbie Lawler at UFC 235.
The 30-year-old Burroughs is a five-time world freestyle champion. At the University of Nebraska, he was a two-time national champion and three-time All-American. At the 2012 Olympics in London, he won the gold medal in freestyle wrestling at 74 kilograms. He finished his college career with a 128-20 record.
Askren (19-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) has his next UFC fight booked against Jorge Masvidal (33-13 MMA, 10-6 UFC) at UFC 239 in Las Vegas on July 6.
For more on UFC 239, visit the UFC Rumors section of the site.
