Search icon

MMA

13th Aug 2018

People keep falling for the same rumour about Conor McGregor hiring Olympic gold medalist

This has been running for over two-and-a-half years

Ben Kiely

The Conor McGregor-Jordan Burroughs rumour has outstayed its welcome.

Have you heard about the Conor McGregor – Jordan Burroughs rumour?

Before we explain it, let us spoil it on you. It’s complete and utter bollocks. It’s as much bollocks now as it was when it first started doing the rounds two-and-half years ago.

For the uninformed, this is Jordan Burroughs.

Conor McGregor Jordan Burroughs

Burroughs is an outstanding wrestler.

In college, he won two NCAA Division I titles for Nebraska, was a three-time All-American and won the 2011 Dan Hodge Trophy as the nation’s best collegiate wrestler.

He is a four-time freestyle wrestling world champion and won the gold medal in the 74kg category at the London 2012 summer Olympics. He also racked up a staggering 69-match win streak that lasted over three-and-a-half years. It was the longest winning streak in US history on the senior level.

Oh yeah, and he’s also rumoured to be working with Conor McGregor ahead of UFC 229.

https://twitter.com/ramonktx/status/1028732478448721920

Fool me twice…

Remarkably, this rumour appeared to be started by Frankie Edgar, of all people. In January 2016, ‘The Answer’ told Elite Daily that the UFC drafted in Burroughs to be ‘the Notorious’s wrestling coach. That was ahead of what was supposed to be his first lightweight title fight against then-champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 196.

“I’m sure (Conor McGregor’s) working on it. He better be. The UFC hired Jordan Burroughs to be his wrestling coach. He knows that’s his weakness.”

UFC president Dana White issued a two-word response to Edgar’s claim – ‘That’s ridiculous’. Jordan’s wife Lauren also dismissed the rumour by saying the following on social media:

“Twice now today I have read or listened to completely false or inaccurate “news” reports regarding my husband’s career.”

Flash-forward to Agust 2018 and the rumour is still bollocks. The man himself took to Twitter to dismiss it this time.