A biography for Jordan Burroughshasn’t been written yet.
“So many kids dream about playing in the NFL. But I was 130 pounds in ninth grade. I looked around and didn't see any 130-pound wide receivers in the pros.”
“Every year I win, everything I do, it cements my legacy.”
“I have a lot of confidence because of my success.”
“I think that Ben Askren, when he competed as a wrestler, he was an amazing athlete.”
“There's just a spirit about you that it's such a beautiful art form in which you can implement strategy in order to subdue another individual. And I really feel like that's in wrestling and UFC; we're kind of - we collaborate in that way.”
“I just want one fight. Because, like, for me, it's not about the status, not about the glory. It's not about the money. Like, I just want to throw my hands and see what I'm made of. And I think that wrestlers and fighters have that same fighting spirit.”
“I take a lot of pride in beating guys like Kyle Dake or David Taylor or these guys who have been basically bred to do this from Day 1. The best camps, the best high schools, the best universities. I never had that. It's not necessary, but I never had any of the frills a lot of those guys had.”
“If I wrestle in 2020, I want it to be my own decision and not the IOC's.”
“Dorm-room life was a tough transition. You're young, and you realize how much you miss the comfort of home.”
“There weren't a lot of people who believed in my abilities. But the more I grew and developed as a man, the more I believed in myself, and the harder I worked, the better I got and the more I progressed.”
“I love legends. I love reading up on the greats in their time period. I think, 'Man, what it would be like to live when they were competing and see them at their best!'”
“I've become close with Masoud Esmaeilpour and consider him a friend. We send each other messages from time to time on Instagram, checking in to see how the other is doing. Whenever I see him, he's always a gentleman, giving me tips about my next opponent. There is a tremendous amount of respect in our friendship.”
“I want to make sure that everyone benefits from my success, not just me.”
“I approach every match with that mindset, that this guy is trying to beat you, and it will change his life if he does.”
“I'm not a big guy that watches technique from my opponents. I try to do what I do best and hope that my stuff is better than their best stuff.”
“There was a time period where I was obsessed with the rivalry between the Lakers and the Celtics in the 1980s.”
“I think the ultimate sign of an icon or legend in any sport is the ability to elevate their teammates.”
“I missed a lot of important milestones in my children's lives to pursue this sport.”
“I listen to a lot of TED talks and motivational speakers.”
“I wouldn't go to pro wrestling. It's not really my thing. I'm a fan, but I think every sport could take some notes from the WWE - how they've progressed and stayed relevant for such a long period of time.”