What an incredible sport ...
Q: Henry Cejudo missed weight at UFC 177. I just can't ...
-- Kevin F.
Foley: I'm no fan, and much of the world has seen his behavior turn from good-natured, hard-working Olympic champion to shampoo salesman. Though I like giving him a solid ribbing, sometimes you have to step back and listen when someone close to Henry cuts him deep ...
From an interview with Terry Brands: "I don't see the Henry Cejudo who was balls in, who would give his life to whatever he committed himself to. But I'm not his coach and it's not my job to tell him this stuff."
Q: I was looking at Okie State roster and did not see Eddie Klimara. Any idea what's going on there?
-- Raed K.
Foley: The word is Klimara is back at Oklahoma State, but a possible redshirt is being discussed. However, if he does redshirt that might put Oklahoma State in a bind at 125.
Q: What did you think of Ben Askren's win at OneFC? He should be in the UFC.
-- Jake D.
Foley: Brutal. I'm actually kinda thinking I wouldn't want him to punch me in the face. Before his punches looked like white-gloved slaps from a spurned lover, but now they look back-filled with rage. The new more violent Ben, is probably more marketable, but a part of me loved watching him smother other humans. Something about that seemed so mentally defeating.
Askren is a dominant welterweight, and were MMA an international sport rather than a spectacle we'd have our answer of just how good he can be in the cage. I think he's top three, but until he gets a superfight against someone in the UFC, or a new contract we'll be left to guess if he could beat the likes of Johnny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler.
What Askren does better than any other fighter is something without his fists or his legs ... he tells the truth. There aren't many people who are wise and forthwith, but Askren is both. In a sport full of scumbags and crooks, hearing his spin-free take on the state of MMA, doping and Dana White is refreshing. Check out this interview for the details of just how honest he can be when given a microphone.
Team Askren.
Q: In your response to the private school questions (and the fact that you are in Chicago), how can you not reference the program that Mike Powell has built at Oak Park? They have top-tier coaching and a travel schedule that allows for increased competitiveness. And Oak Park High School is one of the most diverse in the country.
-- DMZ
Foley: Correction: I moved to Hong Kong in April ...
The OPRF program is one of the best in the country, and also one of the most diverse. In terms of wrestling knowledge my biggest gap comes at the high school level. As I've gone to cover more international events, I tend to miss out on more of the prep action.
What makes Powell an exceptional coach isn't just his ability to coach kids to win at the high school level. There are coaches around the country who can get results from their wrestlers, but to also create a combination of attitude and skill level that allows his athletes to succeed in college and in international competition.
Team Mike Powell.
MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME
World Championships trailer
Link: World Championships broadcast schedule
Link: Journalist predictions for World Championships
Q: I know questions about Pat Downey have come up on your mailbag. Just wanted to let you know (assuming you haven't heard) Pat Downey is at Iowa Central Community College. Looks like one hell of a workout partner for my little brother.
-- Justin H.
Foley: I did not know, and I very much appreciate you sharing that information. You read it here first!
Q: Who from the States is coming away with a medal next week at the World Championships?
-- Eric H.
Jake Varner, who did not compete in 2013, will be looking for his third World-level medal on Tuesday after winning a World bronze medal in 2011 and Olympic gold medal in 2012 (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)I wrote an InterMat Platinum article on the odds for all these wrestlers, which you're welcome to read here, but know that everything -- as always -- has to do with the draw. It's conceivable that Tony Ramos can catch Viktor Lebedev in the first round and be drug into the repechage where he wins one match and heads into a bronze-medal match. It's equally as likely that Jordan Burroughs gets put into the same side of the bracket as Denis Tsargush and Jabrayil Hasanov. When it comes to the World Championships anything is possible, which is why we love this week of wrestling!
I've always considered America's top asset to be its optimism for outperforming the odds. Our medalists over the past ten years are a mixture of stone cold champions (Burroughs and Cael) and over-performing underdogs (Varner and Cejudo). That half of our Olympic gold medalists since 2004 were long shots to win a match is unique. Few countries have similar track records.
Anything is possible. Nick Marable could make the finals, Varner could lose first match. For me those limitless possibilities is what makes the week so much fun.
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