Comments on: Former NCAA wrestling star Ben Askren joins American Top Team

By: dpk

dpk — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:55:19 +0000

Just one more point to make – As MMA gets more popular, and keeps growing I expect amateur wrestling in the US to grow as well. Lesson’s in most martial arts, like Jiu jitsu, and kickboxing are not cheap, and in some cases they are not available. But for a kid growing up, wrestling is something that they can do at their High School for the cost of a pair of wrestling shoes. With wrestlers who have succeeded in MMA like Randy, Hendo, Lesnar, Chuck, Tito, Hughes, Kos, Faber, Pulver, Lindland, Jake Shields and the next generation like Mo Lawal, Jake Rosholt, Phil Davis, Hendricks, Cain Velazquez, Shane Carwin, Jake O’Brein, Dave Herman, Shane Roller, and now Ben Askren. Young wrestlers will have alot of guys to look up to as they think about MMA as a career

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By: dpk

dpk — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:16:32 +0000

Sergio, I agree with you. With the next Olympics 4 years away, I really expect over the next couple of years to see alot of college All-Americans come straight into MMA when they graduate. Also you are going to start hearing alot about College wrestlers working on their standup and jiu jitsu in the off season.

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By: Sergio Hernandez

Sergio Hernandez — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:54:33 +0000

I think this is one of the best and undervalued aspects of the growth of MMA.

Collegiate wrestlers finally having an avenue to which to continue their passion.

Yes, wrestlers will have earned a degree in any number of fields while attending college but how many of them will ignore over 8 years of training, competition, and passion to work for an accounting firm?

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