Ed Gallo
2020 Wrestling for MMA Awards: Khabib, Madsen, Amosov & more
Happy Olympic year, for real this time! And what better way to ring it in, than with my second annual Wrestling for MMA Awards. Despite the pandemic and all that has accompanied it, it’s been a busy year of both wrestling and mixed martial arts. With awards articles coming out left and right to sum […]
Wrestling breakdown: Greco-Roman World champion Shinobu Ota set for RIZIN debut
The reigning Greco-Roman World champion is crossing over into mixed martial arts this New Year’s Eve. Japan’s Shinobu Ota is fresh off a gold medal performance in Kazakhstan, where he dominated the 63 kg weight class. It marked Ota’s first medal at that level since the 2016 Olympic Games, where he made a run to […]
Wrestling breakdown: Razambek Zhamalov knocks off two-time World champion Frank Chamizo
After the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo were delayed, United World Wrestling scrambled to organize a world-level tournament for the year. Impressively, they were able to secure a venue in Belgrade, Serbia and produce what could have been an official World Championship. Unfortunately, major international players like the United States and Japan declined to send […]
Wrestling breakdown: Gavin Tucker’s clinchwork at UFC 256
If you listened to the UFC commentary team, you would assume that Gavin Tucker defeated Billy Quarantillo at UFC 256 by sticking and moving on the outside, his best work coming when he avoided the pocket. Newfoundland’s Tucker came into the UFC as largely “just” an outfighter, hitting shifting combinations and doing his best TJ […]
Young heavyweights Gable Steveson and Mason Parris shine at the RTC Cup
The first official RTC Freestyle Cup was an incredible success. Sponsored by Titan Mercury Wrestling Club and streamed by FloWrestling, six of the strongest wrestling clubs and regional training centers in the United States squared off in a dual meet tournament for an attractive cash prize. The tournament was contested in the dual meet “team […]
Wrestling breakdown: Jordan Burroughs vs. Zahid Valencia
FloWrestling’s latest pro event card was headlined by a special match between five-time World and Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs and two-time NCAA champion Zahid Valencia. Burroughs has been a solid 74 kg for his entire career, while Valencia had his most recent freestyle breakout performance at 86 kg at the Matteo Pellicone ranking series tournament. […]
Wrestling breakdown: The entries of Curtis Blaydes
NOTE: This article was originally written for the November 28th booking of Blaydes vs. Lewis, which was delayed due to Blaydes’ positive COVID-19 test. The two men are now slated to face off in the main event of UFC Vegas 19 on Saturday, February 20th. UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes is closing in on his […]
Wrestling breakdown: Four-time NCAA champion Joey Davis moves to 8-0 in MMA
In NCAA Division 2 competition, only one wrestler has ever emerged with four titles and zero losses. Compton’s Joey Davis turned down offers to play Division 1 football to wrestle at the emerging Division 2 wrestling powerhouse Notre Dame College. Guided by his father, Davis prioritized his education, knowing that the smaller classrooms and quiet […]
Wrestling breakdown: How undefeated welterweight Yaroslav Amosov defeated Ed Ruth
Bellator MMA’s welterweight division is one of their deepest in terms of developing talent. The promotion has heavily invested in young wrestlers – NCAA standouts like Joey Davis, Ed Ruth, Kyle Crutchmer and Logan Storley are on the rise at 170. At this point, however, Ukrainian “Dynamo” Yaroslav Amosov stands above them all. At 24-0, […]
Wrestling breakdown: Jaydin Eierman becomes first American to defeat Vladimer Khinchegashvili
The Covid-19 era of sports has lead to ingenuity and growth from the American wrestling community. With very few events being hosted by global or national governing bodies, it was up to the Regional Training Centers and Wrestling Clubs to create opportunities to compete and make a living. FloWrestling, Beat the Streets Chicago, Beat the […]
Wrestling breakdown: Two-time World champion Zaurbek Sidakov loses at Russian Nationals
Behind the great Abdulrashid Sadulaev, North Alania-Ossetia’s Zaurbek Sidakov was considered by many to be the #2 pound-for-pound wrestler in the world today. However, in his return to action at the 2020 Russian National Championships, he suffered a competitive upset loss to a fellow World champion in Khetik Tsabolov. As seen in this Sidakov career […]
The Alternate Part 2: How Michael Chandler matches up with Khabib Nurmagomedov
In the case that either Khabib Nurmagomedov or Justin Gaethje are forced to withdraw from their UFC 254 title fight, former Bellator lightweight world champion Michael Chandler is set to step in. Regardless of whether he seems worthy of that shot or not, Chandler presents an interesting stylistic matchup for each fighter. Related UFC vs. […]
Video: Black MMA fighters participate in panel discussion on racism
Discussions of inequality and discrimination are always crucial for deepening understanding and facilitating change. This is especially true in times of heightened social tension. Hosted on the combat sports analytical hub The Fight Site, four black mixed martial artists spoke on a panel where they were able to share their own experiences with racism and […]
The alternate, part 1: How Michael Chandler matches up with Justin Gaethje
In this case that either Khabib Nurmagomedov or Justin Gaethje are forced to withdraw from their UFC 254 title fight, former Bellator lightweight world champion Michael Chandler is set to step in. Related Can Justin Gaethje beat Khabib Nurmagomedov? A Division I All-American wrestler for the University of Missouri, Chandler’s absurd physicality and love for […]
Takedown breakdown: Khabib Nurmagomedov’s uppercut double entry
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is well on his way to becoming the greatest fighter in divisional history, if not all-time. Nurmagomedov’s incredible mat wrestling has been the highlight of his skill-set, very few fighters have been able to contend with the Dagestani after being taken down. His wrestling work from neutral, however, is a […]
Takedown breakdown: Olympic champion Vladimir Khinchegashvili’s leg attacks
Georgia’s Vladimir Khinchegashvili, known to some as King Vlad, others prefer the abbreviated “Khinche”, has an all-time great resume at 57 kg. After winning back-to-back Junior World titles in 2010 and 2011, Vlad began his ascension to the top at the senior level. By 2014, he had arrived, winning silver at the senior World Championships. […]
Wrestling breakdown: How Mo Miller won the battle of prospects
Ohio bantamweight Mo Miller continued the streak of Notre Dame College wrestlers in MMA this past weekend. At LFA 90, he took on the highly touted Mando Gutierrez – an undefeated submission specialist and former walk-on wrestler at the University of Iowa. Perhaps dazzled by Gutierrez’s four first-round submission wins, bettors saw the Michigan native […]
Takedown breakdown: How Spencer Lee came back to win gold at the Junior World Championship
In two attempts, Pennsylvania’s Spencer Lee has won two NCAA titles at 125 pounds. In high school, Lee won three straight state titles, losing in a huge upset to Austin DeSanto in the finals as a senior. Although Lee likely wasn’t at 100%, as suggested by a massive knee brace on his right leg, it […]
Takedown breakdown: How Darian Cruz spoiled Thomas Gilman’s undefeated season
Iowa’s Thomas Gilman was an “uncrowned NCAA champion” of sorts for many years. As a true freshman, he battled his teammate Cory Clark for the 125-pound starting spot. Despite losing a tight wrestleoff to Clark, Gilman scored a huge victory over two-time NCAA champion Jesse Delgado, as well as taking out top ten opponents like […]
Wrestling for MMA: UFC Vegas 7’s Pedro Munhoz
Bantamweight contender Pedro Munhoz has a chance to add another high profile name to his resume this Saturday when he faces former lightweight champion and featherweight title challenger Frankie Edgar. IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO WATCH ‘UFC VEGAS 7: ‘MUNHOZ VS EDGAR’ – #UFCAPEX — August 22nd, 2020! Stream all the fights broadcast LIVE — […]
UFC 252 wrestling breakdown: John Dodson’s defense
For nearly ten years, New Mexico’s John Dodson has held steady in the title picture at both 125 and 135 pounds. An absurd athlete, even by flyweight standards, Dodson’s consistency can be attributed to his low-risk counter-punching style and effective defense. After halting a hot prospect in Nathaniel Wood in February, Dodson will play gatekeeper […]
Takedown breakdown: How Kyven Gadson pinned Kyle Snyder
Now the owner of Olympic gold and two World titles, Kyle Snyder is one of the biggest names in American wrestling today. His losses to Abdulrashid Sadulaev and other monsters like Mohammadian aside, the Maryland-born wrestler has been one of the most consistently high-performing athletes for USA Wrestling over the past five years. However, before […]
Takedown breakdown: Alexander Volkanovski’s inside trip
The rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway was extremely competitive. Surpassing the expectations of many, Holloway made some key adjustments in varying his entries and letting his kicking game fly, his greatest moments coming after exploiting key defensive habits by the champion. Volkanovski, in turn, began to pick up on Holloway’s approach and made […]
Takedown breakdown: Frank Chamizo’s footsweep
Throughout the last decade, Frank Chamizo Marquez went from a solid, but unknown World medalist to one of the most popular athletes in the sport of wrestling. At 55 kg, Chamizo earned World bronze for Cuba. Chamizo’s physical growth, along with the rise of perennial contenders Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez and Alejandro Valdes Tobier, essentially bumped […]
Six-time NCAA wrestling champion Carlton Haselrig passes away at 54
Former six-time collegiate wrestling champion, Pro Bowl offensive lineman, and MMA fighter Carlton Haselrig passed away in his Johnstown, PA home on July 22, 2020—reportedly due to natural causes. He was 54 years of age. Among his many athletic achievements, Haselrig is best know for his unparralleled success as a wrestler for Pittsburgh-Johnstown college in […]
Wrestling breakdown: Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal
In terms of fight quality, MMA fans were spoiled by the title bouts at UFC 251. Jose Aldo put on an admirable late-career tactical performance against the inevitable Petr Yan, while Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski engaged in a back-and-forth battle of adjustments and one-upsmanship. There was plenty of wrestling in both fights, and you […]
Takedown breakdown: Amanda Ribas’ harai goshi
Brazil’s Amanda Ribas is poised to become a massive star for the UFC. Beyond her obvious “marketability”, Ribas is showing a ton of promise as a fighter. She’s a swarmer, and demonstrates competence with a lot of tools and weapons that befit a swarmer. She hits the body, she commits to exchanges, and most importantly […]
Takedown breakdown: How Jordan Oliver uses misdirection
By the time he began his freestyle wrestling career in earnest, Easton, PA native Jordan Oliver had established himself as one of the hottest prospects in the sport. Wrestling in the toughest state in the nation, Oliver made the state finals four times, with three consecutive championships. At Oklahoma State University, Oliver placed fourth at […]
Takedown breakdown: How Merab Dvalishvili uses overhand punches
MMA fans are becoming infatuated with the Georgian phenom Merab Dvalishvili. An absolute cardio machine, Dvalishvili’s incredible pace has lead him to twice break the UFC’s one-fight takedown record. WATCH ‘UFC ON ESPN+ Fight Night ‘Curtis Blaydes vs. Alexander Volkov’ #UFCAPEX June 20th., 2020… Plus, Raquel Pennington vs. Marion Reneau, Clay Guida vs. Bobby Green […]
Rise of a wrestle-boxer: The keys to Cody Stamann’s UFC 250 performance
It’s safe to say that no one fighting in the UFC during the age of quarantine is having a normal training camp. Related UFC 250 Live Radio-Style PBP Stream | Nunes Vs. Spencer Live Radio-Style Commentary With limited access to gyms and other essential training utilities, fighters are having to reinvent their preparation and mix […]