Jordan Burroughs faces Sean Brady in RAF 12 main event next month

Real American Freestyle (RAF) has booked wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs against UFC welterweight Sean Brady for the main event of RAF 12 on August 22 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, marking Burroughs' promotion debut.

Burroughs, 37, is widely regarded as one of the greatest American wrestlers of all time. The Nebraska two-time national champion dominated the senior circuit at 74 kg, claiming World Championships in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017. His crowning achievement came with a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games. After competitive setbacks in 2016 and 2020, Burroughs moved up to 79 kg and won World Championships in 2021 and 2022. He competed most recently at the 2024 World Championships, where he fell to multiple-time world medalist Mohammad Nokhodi. His signing with RAF was announced last month.

Brady, competing at welterweight in the UFC, has established himself as a top-tier grappler despite lacking a traditional wrestling pedigree. He has proven his credentials both in MMA and submission grappling, most recently defeating Joaquin Buckley at UFC 328 in May. The matchup marks Brady's debut for the Real American Freestyle promotion. The pairing sets up a high-profile wrestling versus MMA wrestling clash at the welterweight level, with Burroughs bringing an elite folkstyle and international wrestling resume against Brady's modern MMA grappling skill set.