Joey Cruz vs a TikToker

[okokzach]

Cruz is giving up quite a bit of weight here and his opponent is a former D1 wrestler, but still pretty entertaining. 

[lisa morales]

Georgio Poullas wrestled 152 lbs. in Ohio and was a state champ.  Cruz was giving up about 40 lbs.

 

[Gus]

  On 3/14/2025 at 11:13 AM, okokzach said:

Cruz is giving up quite a bit of weight here and his opponent is a former D1 wrestler, but still pretty entertaining. 

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Georgio has some slick stuff. D1 wrestlers a different breed. Weight classes exist for a reason haha. 

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

  On 3/14/2025 at 12:05 PM, Gus said:

Georgio has some slick stuff. D1 wrestlers a different breed. Weight classes exist for a reason haha. 

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Cruz just gets overpowered in some of those positions where he might have been able to scramble out of or maybe even score.  This is months before his late season "level up" too, but I don't think that would have mattered much.

[1032004]

Came close to hitting his head on the concrete on that first one 

[MLB9]

I watched a video a while back with Georgio where he almost got taken down by a New York wrestler that placed at state or maybe even won a title, Sean something. GP said it was the closest he’s been to getting taken down so far.

[Gus]

  On 3/14/2025 at 12:08 PM, Interviewed_at_Weehawken said:

Cruz just gets overpowered in some of those positions where he might have been able to scramble out of or maybe even score.  This is months before his late season "level up" too, but I don't think that would have mattered much.

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Right. He was a 157 in college and it looks like he has spent plenty of time in the weight room since then. Probably weights 180+. Gonna be an uphill battle for Cruz

[MLB9]

I’m still fascinated by the Georges St. Pierre wrestling/grappling evolution in MMA. The bouts against Matt Hughes and other former collegiate wrestlers were really interesting 

[1032004]

Didn’t watch but apparently there’s a longer YouTube video of this 

 

Also interesting that this topic came up, I’ve seen a few of this guy’s videos and saw a Reddit thread recently where people were arguing someone did take him down, but might depend on how reaction time is defined.  I can’t find that video though 

[okokzach]

https://www.wrestlestat.com/wrestler/49101/poullas-georgio/profile

Edited Friday at 12:29 PM by okokzach

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

  On 3/14/2025 at 12:16 PM, MLB9 said:

I’m still fascinated by the Georges St. Pierre wrestling/grappling evolution in MMA. The bouts against Matt Hughes and other former collegiate wrestlers were really interesting 

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From hearing GSP and others speak, I think a lot of GSP wrestling came from the threat of the strike.  He has said as much himself.  I am not sure he beats a Koshchek in a pure wrestling match with no cage.  He was just so good at making his Karate blitz style a threat that he could get to guys legs.  As far as defense, that is easier to learn, especially with takedown distance being different in MMA.

[1032004]

  On 3/14/2025 at 12:20 PM, 1032004 said:

Didn’t watch but apparently there’s a longer YouTube video of this 

 

Also interesting that this topic came up, I’ve seen a few of this guy’s videos and saw a Reddit thread recently where people were arguing someone did take him down, but might depend on how reaction time is defined.  I can’t find that video though 

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Found it.  Apparently Georgio took his video of this down, and may not have paid the $1000 (he claims he’s never been taken down in these contests).   Looks like a TD to me

 

[okokzach]

  On 3/14/2025 at 12:34 PM, 1032004 said:

Found it.  Apparently Georgio took his video of this down, and may not have paid the $1000 (he claims he’s never been taken down in these contests).   Looks like a TD to me

 

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We've seen some pretty absurd reaction time calls this year so who knows lol

[BigRedFan]

Look up Dylan Palacio and "Homeless wrestler" to see some crazy s*** from the former.  Example:

 

 

 

Edited Friday at 12:43 PM by BigRedFan

[1032004]

  On 3/14/2025 at 12:42 PM, BigRedFan said:

Look up Dylan Palacio and "Homeless wrestler" to see some crazy s*** from the former.  Example:

 

 

 

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Yes I believe Palacio started the “take me down win $1000” thing.

But then refused to wrestle Askren

[CHROMEBIRD]

Hah, I was wondering while reading this thread if Palacio is still doing his social media schtick

[ionel]

I hope Bob is writing big checks to Joey as he seems to be the only one who is actually monetizing his IL.  

[BruceyB]

  On 3/14/2025 at 12:44 PM, 1032004 said:

Yes I believe Palacio started the “take me down win $1000” thing.

But then refused to wrestle Askren

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His was take me down for a bitcoin. But same concept. 

Georgio's high school resume:

Won the Ohio state title at 152 pounds as a junior... Won each of his final 43 matches to finish the 2015-16 season 45-2… Was a 2016 Ironman champion at 160 pounds… Advanced to Ohio state championship match at 160 pounds in 2017 before losing in overtime… Finished his senior season with a 43-1 mark… Went 5-1 with two wins via fall to place third at FloNationals at 160 pounds in 2017… Also finished third at NHSCA tournament at 170 pounds in 2017… Placed at the prestigious Super 32 Challenge in 2015 at 152 pounds… Was nationally ranked by Intermat during his senior season.

Pretty notable high school accolades.

[Kov88]

  On 3/14/2025 at 7:16 PM, BruceyB said:

His was take me down for a bitcoin. But same concept. 

Georgio's high school resume:

Won the Ohio state title at 152 pounds as a junior... Won each of his final 43 matches to finish the 2015-16 season 45-2… Was a 2016 Ironman champion at 160 pounds… Advanced to Ohio state championship match at 160 pounds in 2017 before losing in overtime… Finished his senior season with a 43-1 mark… Went 5-1 with two wins via fall to place third at FloNationals at 160 pounds in 2017… Also finished third at NHSCA tournament at 170 pounds in 2017… Placed at the prestigious Super 32 Challenge in 2015 at 152 pounds… Was nationally ranked by Intermat during his senior season.

Pretty notable high school accolades.

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Pretty good HS resume