photos courtesy of Richard Immel; RImmelPics.com
We had to wait an extra few days for the colossal clash between Jordan Burroughs and David Taylor, but it is actually happening. The two have exchanged some jabs through social media since Burroughs announced he was wrestling Zahid Valencia at 86 kg. Jordan even called out Taylor in his post-match interview after defeating Zahid. There were plenty of behind the scenes negotiations that went into getting this match booked and, at times, it looked like it may not happen. But kudos to FloWrestling for finding a way to get it done. The wrestling community appreciates it!
This match will occur on Wednesday because Taylor had to be quarantined due to contract tracing and was not available to compete Saturday. It will change locations, too. Instead of Austin, Texas, it will take place in Nebraska. Flo was also able to round up five other bouts to make an undercard, as well. Three high school matches will be conducted, along with a pair between wrestlers that competed Saturday. Here's our breakdown of all six matches along with predictions.
Anthony Knox vs. Ben Davino (116 lbs)
Here's a look at another generation of young stars. #12 Ben Davino is a freshman out of St. Charles, Illinois, while Anthony Knox of New Jersey is one of the top eighth-graders in the nation. These two are no strangers as they met in the quarterfinals of the 15U bracket last January at Tulsa Nationals. Knox came out on top 5-2 and went on to capture the 95 lb crown, while Davino wrestled back for true-second. The pair were also in the same Super 32 weight class in October. Though still in eighth-grade, Knox took fourth-place in the 106 lb weight class. They did not clash at the Super 32 but did have a couple of common opponents. #5 Beric Jordan (Graham, OH) and #2 Nate Jesuroga (Southeast Polk, IA). Jordan defeated Davino 7-4, but was majored by Knox, 14-2. Jesuroga held off both, Davino by a point and Knox in the ultimate tiebreaker.
TOM Pick: Knox
Sage Mortimer vs. Audrey Jimenez (117 lbs)
This matchup pits one of the top high school seniors in the nation against one of the top freshmen. Sage Mortimer came in #3 overall in the girls Class of 2021 and has three stop signs under her belt in Fargo. She also earned All-American status in the boys 16U Greco-Roman tournament. Earlier this season, Mortimer was selected to compete in Who's #1 against Mia Palumbo. Jimenez was a 15U Pan-American champion in 2019. Earlier that year, Jimenez claimed a 14U title at Women's Nationals by downing Saki Yoshikawa in the finals, 10-6. Audrey isn't the only one with international accolades though, Mortimer won the same Pan-American tournament in 2016 and was a member of the Cadet World Team in 2019.
TOM Pick: Mortimer
Cody Chittum vs. Jordan Williams (145 lbs)
The final high school bout of the evening should be a fun contrast of styles. The fourth-ranked 138 lber in the nation, Jordan Williams, moves up a weight to take on the number one wrestler in the land, Cody Chittum. While technically sound, Chittum is known for his physicality and handfighting skills. Williams is more smooth, crisp, and quick. Each has had a ton of success in Fargo; Chittum has placed four times, never lower than fifth in any of his trips to the FargoDome. Williams is two-for-two, coming home with 16U freestyle national titles during his appearances on the raised stage. Both of these wrestlers were apart of Who's #1. Chittum solidified his top-billing at the event, while Williams fell in the first round of the 138 lb mini-tournament. For the high school portion of the evening, this could be the match of the night.
TOM Pick: Chittum
Seth Gross vs. Joey McKenna (65 kg)
Both of these wrestlers picked up wins Saturday night on the Adeline vs. Tamyra card and will be back in action on Wednesday night. At first glance, you have to be wary of that 65 kg weight class for Seth Gross, who will compete at 57 kg in the Olympic Trials. Since Gross is large and long for 57 kg, it may not be that big of a factor. Seth's match Saturday saw him get by Zane Richards 11-3. McKenna downed the last opponent to defeat Gross, Nahshon Garrett. He did so with a 12-2 tech. Garrett did have a weight allowance for the match with Gross at the RTC Cup and competed at 65 kg Saturday. More often than not, Seth Gross tends to have action-packed battles, so I'd expect this one is, as well. Challenging someone of McKenna's caliber at 65 kg, may be too much, though.
TOM Pick: McKenna
J'Den Cox vs. Nate Jackson (215 lbs)
Two more combatants that were in action Saturday are slated to clash at 215 lbs with J'Den Cox and Nate Jackson. Cox returned to the mat for the first time since February and debuted at 97 kg against a strong opponent in Hayden Zillmer. J'Den was able to shake the rust off and still get a 6-2 win over the national team member. For the Olympic Trials, Cox will be up at 97 kg rather than the 92 kg weight class where he captured back-to-back World titles. According to stats guru Jon Kozak, Nate Jackson has been the most active men's freestyle wrestler in the world since April. Since then, Jackson has taken part in 15 matches, two higher than the next wrestler on the list. So Jackson answering the bell on a few days notice against a two-time world champion shouldn't be surprising. Saturday, Nate was able to run up a tech fall on Campbell's Associate Head Coach Wynn Michalak, a participant in the last two Olympic Trials. I'm eager to see how J'Den responds after a long layoff, then two events in less than a week's time.
TOM Pick: Cox
Jordan Burroughs vs. David Taylor (86 kg)
It's finally here! Perhaps the best men's freestyle match currently available domestically, Jordan Burroughs, will move up in weight to challenge David Taylor. This isn't the first time Burroughs has bumped up to 86 kg in recent memory. His first match since the 2020 Pan-American Championships in March took place at that weight class when he came back to defeat 2019 Senior National champion Zahid Valencia. Jordan was able to wear down the younger Valencia and showed his trademark "clutchness." Though not the same caliber currently as Taylor or Valencia, Burroughs did give up weight to defeat Ben Askren at the "Grapple at the Garden" in 2019. At that event, Taylor suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for the rest of the year and prevented him from attempting to win back-to-back World titles.
David returned to competition at the Pan-American Olympic Qualifier and qualified the United States for Tokyo at 86 kg. Since then, he has competed on Flo's Dake vs. Chamizo card and dominated Myles Martin along with a battle against Gabe Dean on a Nittany Lion WC card. While Taylor doesn't look quite like the wrestler that crushed the field in Budapest in 2018, he's not that far off.
Another win over Taylor could add to the already legendary career of Burroughs. The two last met in 2014 at the US Open, then the World Team Trials. Taylor cradled Burroughs twice, but fell to the legend in both meetings. Jordan is looking to make his third Olympic team later this year and claim his second gold medal.
Something will have to give with respect to both wrestler's conditioning. Both have been known to wear on opponents and can come from behind, if needed. Jordan showed in his match with Valencia that he can handle someone with a similar build and arsenal of low attacks. I'm standing by my rule of picking Burroughs until proven otherwise.
TOM Pick: Burroughs
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