Ben Askren is now a big deal in the MMA world, but on May 6, we’ll get to see him return to his wrestling roots against one of the greatest in the sport.
ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reports that Askren (who went to the 2008 Olympics to compete in wrestling) will go up against Jordan Burroughs at Madison Square Garden’s Beat the Streets event in a 79-kg match. Their match will headline the event, and proceeds will go to Beat the Streets NY to “develop the full human and athletic potential of the urban youth and to strengthen the wrestling culture within New York City.”
Burroughs is best known for winning gold at the 2012 Olympics, though he’s also placed first four times at the World Championships. Askren is a former welterweight champion for both ONE and Bellator. He currently sits at #5 in the UFC welterweight rankings following a win against Robbie Lawler, having been traded to the promotion in exchange for Demetrious Johnson. His wrestling career features a win at both the 2005 Pan American Championships and the 2008 United States Championships.
The event will begin on Monday, May 6 starting at 6 p.m. and can be streamed live on FloWrestling.
