UFC Star Sean Brady Draws Olympic Wrestling Legend Jordan Burroughs for RAF 12

After spending seven years in the UFC, proving he can outgrapple some of the promotion’s best welterweights, Sean Brady has agreed to take things up a notch. Next month, the Philadelphia native steps into unfamiliar territory, where there are no strikes, no cage, just a mat. 

He is slated to meet one of the most accomplished freestyle wrestlers on the planet in Jordan Burroughs. 

Jordan Burroughs vs. Sean Brady Set for August 

Real American Freestyle (RAF) has officially announced that Brady will face Olympic gold medalist Burroughs in the main event of RAF 12 on Aug. 22 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. While the matchup marks the promotional debut for both men, it presents two very different challenges.

For Burroughs, it's the beginning of a new chapter after decades atop the wrestling world. For the UFC fighter, however, it's an opportunity to test his grappling against a man whose track record few athletes in any combat sport can rival.

Burroughs, 37, has spent more than a decade defining excellence in freestyle wrestling, capturing Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games before adding six world championship titles to his collection.

Sizing up Jordan Burroughs

Long before dominating on the international stage, the American had established himself as one of the NCAA's premier competitors, winning two national championships at the University of Nebraska and earning the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy as the nation's top collegiate wrestler.

As a matter of fact, his explosive double-leg takedown became one of the most recognizable weapons in amateur wrestling. Now, Burroughs is taking that pedigree to the RAF, a promotion that has quickly made a name for itself by blending traditional wrestling with recognizable names from the broader combat sports landscape. 

On the other side, Brady may not have grown up as a decorated freestyle wrestler, but few would question his grappling credentials. The UFC welterweight contender has earned a reputation for relentless pressure, suffocating control, and a submission game that has troubled elite mixed martial artists.

All in all, he has four submission wins in the UFC, the latest one coming against former champ Leon Edwards. 

Brady Gets Unique Challenge while RAF Continues Crossover Push

Brady, 33, heads into RAF 12 with wind in his sails. He  most recently earned a unanimous decision victory over Joaquin Buckley, reinforcing his place among the UFC's top contenders while waiting for his next bout in the promotion.

Stepping into a freestyle wrestling match against Burroughs, however, is a different ballgame altogether. 

Unlike the Dagestani horde of mountain wrestlers or NCAA alumni, Brady never competed as a standout scholastic or collegiate wrestler before transitioning into MMA. His wrestling has been developed primarily as part of a complete MMA game rather than through years of international freestyle competition.

Comparing, Contrasting Contestants in RAF 12

That contrast is precisely what makes the matchup compelling. Burroughs, meanwhile, has spent his entire career mastering one discipline against the best specialists in the world. Brady, on the other hand, has built his reputation by blending multiple martial arts into one of the UFC's most effective grappling styles.

As for the promotion, RAF has leaned heavily into those crossover opportunities since launching, bringing together Olympic wrestlers, NCAA champions, and established MMA stars under one banner. Burroughs versus Brady continues that blueprint while serving as one of the promotion's most intriguing main events to date.

Other Matches on RAF 12

Moreover, the Aug. 22 card is stacked well beyond its headliner. Former UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley is scheduled to meet Joaquin Buckley, while three-time NCAA champion Bo Nickal returns to action against Max McEnelly. 

Elsewhere, David Carr faces Tajmuraz Salkazanov, Jason Nolf meets Evan Wick, Diana Avsaragova takes on Kennedy Blades, Mike Holston squares off with Larry Williams, and Ben Davino is set to face Masanosuke Ono.