Conor McGregor responds to Jordan Burroughs's emotional confession about MMA career before RAF Moscow

Conor McGregor and Jordan Burroughs are both beheld as bona fide legends in their sports, MMA and freestyle wrestling, respectively. 

Burroughs has long been an athlete whom many mixed martial arts fans have hailed as a potential crossover success, albeit the American never competed in MMA.

Over the years, the freestyle wrestling Olympic gold medalist, who notched the honor in the 74 kg weight category at the 2012 Olympics, had been rumored to be transitioning to MMA.

Well, here in 2026, Burroughs has put forth a rather emotional message about why his career as a mixed martial artist didn't materialize. MMA megastar Conor McGregor soon came across the same and weighed in with his reaction. 

Jordan Burroughs's poignant message about his possible MMA career

In addition to being an Olympic gold medal winner, Jordan Burroughs also bagged gold in multiple world championships, winning six, to be specific, between 2011 and 2022.

The New Jersey-born athlete made his promotional debut in the Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling organization at RAF 12 last Saturday, August 22, beating UFC welterweight contender Sean Brady via tech fall (11-0) in their catchweight showdown's second period. 

During a subsequent conversation with Ariel Helwani on The Ariel Helwani Show, Jordan Burroughs opened up about why his MMA career didn't come to fruition. He also seemed to firmly close the door on it at this stage of his athletic career. 

In regard to his possibly entering MMA back in the day, he stated, "It was. It was close." Burroughs revealed that he was particularly close to making his MMA debut in 2012, but he didn't want to split his time between MMA and wrestling, which he feels could've resulted in him skimping on both. 

Furthermore, making a heartwarming statement about Father Time and how he, as an athlete, has let go of his MMA dream, Burroughs said: 

"One of the hardest parts about growing older, Ariel, is that you have to let dreams die. There are certain things that when you're young, and when you're hungry... You believe you can do it all... As you get older, you start to realize that, man, this may have passed for me." 

Known to be a devout Christian, Burroughs indicated that he was drawn to MMA by its glamor -- celebrities attending the fights, lucrative paydays, and other elements of that ilk -- which, he insinuated, wouldn't have aligned with his values. 

Underscoring that a move to MMA would've adversely affected his faith, family, and marriage, he noted, "That lifestyle would not have been healthy for a family man." 

Check out Jordan Burroughs's complete conversation with Ariel Helwani below: 

Conor McGregor offers a respectful and compassionate response to Jordan Burroughs's MMA admission

Former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor soon got wind of Jordan Burroughs's MMA confession. Taking to his official X handle, "The Notorious" appeared to offer a reaction characterized by respect and compassion for his fellow combat sports great. 

Capping off his X post with a 'folded hands' emoji, McGregor, himself a vocal proponent of the Christian faith, wrote, "Incredible message from a great athlete!" 

Incredible message from a great athlete! 🙏 https://t.co/vsZkH5bdex

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 25, 2026

McGregor continues his post-surgery recovery after a right knee injury in his latest MMA fight, a TKO loss in his rematch against Max Holloway at welterweight at UFC 329 on July 11. The Irishman is eyeing a return for his UFC deal's final fight next July. 

On the other hand, Burroughs is fresh off his win over Sean Brady in his maiden RAF appearance. He's set to wrestle Magomed Kurbanaliev in a middleweight match next, which will transpire at RAF Moscow on September 5. He's also lobbying for multiple high-profile matches.