Burroughs, who competes at 74 kilograms (163 pounds), and Taylor who competes at 86 kilograms, will meet at Taylor's s weight. The obvious advantage is to Taylor, but it's important to factor in Burroughs being at a higher walking around weight of ~80 kilograms. Weight aside the matchup provides fans -- largely still starving for competitions -- the opportunity to watch one of the best what-if's in the sport bear out on the mats.
COVID has left an awful mark on our nation and our sport. Putting aside a moment the negative impacts, it's important to see that the adaptations made have added something to our overall wrestling community's outlook on the future of event making. Burroughs vs. Taylor is something of a silver lining that the time and space provided by the dearth of international competitions has enabled the country's biggest stars to compete in what is essentially a pride-only match. No matter who wins there is no reckoning to be had about Olympic spots or dings to one's self-confidence.
On the mat the predictions have been everywhere, but the favorite sentiment among fans seems to be "heart is with Burroughs, head is with Taylor." While the justification would vary among individuals the instinct is that Burroughs will always find a way to win and having faced and beaten Taylor last time would easily do it again. Alas, that Taylor and this Taylor are far different animals, and then there is the weight.
The technical breakdowns could last 4000 words and two hours of video, but the keys to victory are pretty clear. Burroughs will need to finish double legs definitively and avoid at all costs getting stuck under Taylor while attempting any single legs. Burroughs, coming over top and finding an ankle from the outside is a great start, but if he lingers below and allows Taylor time to find an edge it'll be a difficult scramble for Burroughs to win.
For Taylor there needs to be some type of molasses added to Burroughs' level changes. If he tries to match and mistimes it'll spell disappointment. Putting hands on Burroughs will allow Taylor head pressure that can also direct the action where he chooses, rather than be reactionary to his faster opponent. Taylor will also want to find some offense. Burroughs has spectacular defense from a distance but is less effective the deeper the action goes. Putting Burroughs' weight on his back leg by driving on a single leg and crunching down on an angle will give Taylor the momentum he needs to keep Burroughs close during the finish.
No matter the outcome I'm interested in the matchup, the match, and the post bout interviews.
The co-main event is also a must-see, with five-time world champion Adeline Gray meeting defending world champion Tamyra Mensah-Stock. I covered the matchup in last week's bag, but from a larger perspective I'm very appreciative that FloWrestling was able to make this happen. The ability to watch the top women compete will give a larger number of American wrestling fans a real connection to the athletes heading into the 2021 Olympic Games. That could mean more T-shirt purchases to help support their training, or simply following on Instagram. We live in the attention economy and these wrestlers deserve the opportunity to be seen by more of our die-hard fan base. Their inclusion in the event is a big moment for women's wrestling in the United States.
To your questions …
Q: Predictions for the Burroughs vs. Taylor card?
-- Mike C.
Foley: My predictions are below.
Mitch McKee df. Tristan Moran, 3-1
Ronna Heaton df. Desiree Zavala, 9-4
Nate Jackson df. Wynn Michalak, via tech fall
Seth Gross df. Zane Richards, 11-3
Matt McDonough df. Ethan Lizak, 6-2
Joey McKenna df. Nahshon Garrett, 7-0
Erin Golston df. Emily Shilson, 6-5
James Green df. Pat Lugo, 8-4
J'den Cox df. Hayden Zillmer, 9-0
Adeline Gray df. Tamyra Mensah-Stock, 5-2
Jordan Burroughs df. David Taylor, 3-2
Q: How do you think the Yianni Diakomihalis vs. Anthony Ashnault will go Friday night?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Yianni! The guy has all the right moves for a massive career on the freestyle circuit. Assuming that he's in decent shape and ready for Ashnault's strength I think the matchup favors Yianni in 9/10 matches.
The one factor that Ashnault brings to the match is a real understanding of Yianni's scrambling style and instincts. I think Yianni is almost unmatched in his creativity, but I also see that the Americans who've done well in the college arena tend to also perform better against our top guys than some of the international competition. I tend to think it's the familiarity.
MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME
Jordan Burroughs on the Joe Rogan Experience?
Tom Brands Press Conference
Tom Brands speaking at Iowa's media day (Photo/Iowa Athletics)Q: What did you think of Tom Brands' media day press conference? What was the "propaganda" he was referring to just before the 10-minute mark?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Oh, he was 100% percent talking about Penn State and their fan base. No question. I think we are in a place where it's OK to say that Tom Brands is in a position where he has an active dislike of all things State College. He's probably personalizing any perceived slights, but that's just how it goes sometimes. I for one love me a good rivalry.
There was some feedback about Tom's COVID comments, but I think they were measured and largely correct. I believe that Tom Brands understands the deadliness of COVID and that he wants to protect his wrestlers and their families from any harm the virus might cause. I also think that as an educator he's seeing the impact that not wrestling is having on some of his athletes. This is their life. This is his life. Being on the mats is akin to breathing. I still remember the heartache of having my fifth year being (briefly) stolen from me -- if they are feeling even a fraction of that pain then there is no faulting a coach who wants to see that alleviated through providing them a purpose-driven season.
Tom is a competitor and loves the sport, full-stop. He just wants the opportunity to have his kids get out there and kick somebody's butt. Not to mention he wants to win an NCAA title, which he would have done last year, and is primed to do in 2021.
Q: What can you tell us about the Henri Deglane? Who is going and what is happening?
Bobby O.
Foley: The Henri Deglane will be the first international wrestling tournament for Team USA since international sports was shut down in mid-March. The tournament has been competitive for several years, but in 2021 it will look to host a larger-than-normal constituency of athletes from Europe and the Americas.
Key among the entries will be Team Cuba and Team Azerbaijan, each of whom are bringing entire teams. Team Turkey will also bring a large group, including Riza Kayaalp.
I'd suspect there will be more than a few Americans facing each other in the tournament, but also remember that every wrestler will be guaranteed at least two matches, which reduces the letdown from a possible first-round matchup with a training partner or countrymen. Also, the freestyle weights are fairly robust with wrestlers from Italy, Spain, and France which gives our wrestlers a new feel before facing off against Turkey and Azerbaijan.
I'll be on-site to do interviews with some athletes we are featuring in documentaries this spring, namely Mijain Lopez. The USA Wrestling social media accounts and the UWW social media accounts will (fingers crossed) be updating results and sending out usable links to the livestream. However, it's important to remember that neither body is hosting the event -- that's the job of the French Wrestling Federation.
Watch today for the full entry list.
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