Interviewed_at_Weehawken

It would be nice to get a better system, but this is what we have and we have to deal with it. David Taylor pretty much knows that he is good enough where ranking tourneys don't matter anymore. Nick Lee isn't quite at that level, so he needs to take a shot at some ranking events if he is serious about this Olympic medal thing. And I think he did attend at least one and was outperformed by Henderson if I'm not mistaken.

If only there was a way to earn seeding points and separate yourself from other studs!

Would you have him somewhere around 4th best?

Yes.

I mean, that is how the brackets work.

I may come off as a Yianni hater, but I am far from that, and I want to clarify. I have friends who know Yianni well and speak to his high character. I would love to YD (or anyone really) win 2024 gold (and then multiple golds going forward.) However, his trend is not great at this point. Could he make the team? Of course. But an argument could be made that he is our #3 guy and is losing ground to a guy who just placed 8th. No number of DQ victories over Muskaev or strangely officiated matches over Bajrang are going to get him on the US team. Also, wasn't the Iranian 5th this year?

I thought it was JTTS on Mocco after the Crump loss.

Some iffy officiating and Bajrang had wrestled on three continents in 10 days or something similar.

World team. Top 3 is national team. Other than that, you are right on about a lot of things.

It means its going to be tough to make the team in 2024. He may need to transfer to NLWC to have a shot.

Yes, I am aware of all of this. Also has recent losses to McKenna (DNQ) and Lee (2x) (8th). Not sure if any of this is a good reason to diminish Zadick's accomplishment.

How many years has it been since Yianni won his? 5 or so?

Bill Zadick. Gold. 2006.

You would think!

Great way to get street cred around here!

Did the AD get suspended too? Compliance officer? University president? Maybe he was sick?

Awesome move, Gus!

Beat Sidakov!

Two guys that I have worked with both went 0-1. That is a lot of travel and fundraising to only have one match. Does anyone know if they are going to give the 0-1 guys exhibition matches to gain experience and if UWW will broadcast these exhibitions?

Is this really a "conspiracy?" Or would it be more of a "theory?" It is amazing the confusion around these terms.

Don't you mean "party pants?"

No conference titles in the last ten years?

He must be doing ok with his businesses outside of MMA... because apparently to satisfy the masses, he needs to be on every fight card?

I think that is what delayed his last fight. As far as now, I think he is ok. However, he also talked about feeling like he has been in training camp almost non-stop for a couple years and he wanted to step back a little. I think he wants to work on refining some skills without the pressure of "a fight coming up in 8 weeks." I don't think athletes get a lot more skilled in camps. They get in better shape and they lose weight.