It seems Jordan Oliver has been making ready for his MMA debut for almost six years however he gained’t combat for the primary time till Friday evening at Bellator 298.
As a two-time nationwide champion wrestler and U.S. Olympic staff member, Oliver has spent most of his life on the mats whereas striving to develop into one of the best on the earth. However whilst he was successful tournaments and including increasingly accolades to his wrestling resume, the now 33-year-old Pennsylvania native by no means overpassed his need to develop into a fighter.
“It was at all times the plan,” Oliver instructed MMA Preventing. “I nearly made it in 2016 however for myself and the objectives that I needed to perform in wrestling, I couldn’t depart wrestling with out making the U.S. [Olympic] staff and placing myself in place to be one of the best on the earth. With that mentioned, I received to make the Olympic staff and this chance got here up once more.
“It was one thing that I needed to do. It was one thing I assumed I’d be nice in nevertheless it additionally challenges you. It’s not simply wrestling. Wrestling is difficult sufficient however now there’s hanging, there’s an entire bunch of various crafts and I’m an individual that likes to tackle challenges. I wish to be one of the best on the earth and go towards one of the best competitors.”
Whereas wrestling was his major focus, Oliver revealed that he truly began dabbling in MMA lengthy earlier than he inked a contract with the Paramount-owned firm now serving as his promoter.
Actually, he credit the little bit he realized in MMA as an additional weapon that helped him develop into a greater wrestler, which led to much more success on the senior circuit after faculty was over.
“The educational half, a number of it helped me in 2017 once I began turning into profitable in wrestling however I used to be stepping off to the facet and coaching MMA,” Oliver mentioned. “It’s helped me get higher with my spacing and timing in wrestling and now we’re making the transition into MMA and we’re not simply coaching it.”
At 33, Oliver is technically getting a late begin on his preventing profession however he already has a fairly efficient blueprint to observe with regards to that swap from wrestling to MMA at a barely older age.
You see, Oliver counts ex-UFC champion Daniel Cormier as a pal and mentor after they first related at Oklahoma State, which is the faculty the place they each wrestled underneath legendary coach John Smith. Oliver at all times appeared as much as Cormier, who additionally made his MMA debut in his 30s earlier than ultimately successful titles in two completely different weight lessons and being enshrined as a member of the UFC Corridor of Fame.
Oliver couldn’t think about a greater path to observe than the one Cormier solid forward of him.
“That was my important inspiration,” Oliver mentioned about Cormier. “Once I was at Oklahoma State, me and ‘DC’ had an excellent relationship. Somebody I known as my massive brother. I received to see his first combat, I consider it was in Tulsa or Oklahoma Metropolis, and we received to be there. Watching DC and attending to know DC, we’ve stayed related through the years. Somebody that’s at all times supported me and gave me recommendation and he’s at all times been in my ear as an enormous brother.
“That’s a number of inspiration coming over, watching DC and watching him go from wrestling within the Olympics and go and pursue UFC gold. He loves doing it. He loves competing and it’s one thing I like to do as properly. DC was an enormous inspiration for me. I hope to have the credentials he does however being his pal and little brother, I wish to prime him. He laid the blueprint. Now it’s time for me to construct on that and do one thing even higher.”
As a result of there’s a lot consideration being paid to Oliver forward of his Bellator debut, it’s simple to overlook that he hasn’t truly competed professionally but.
In fact, Oliver isn’t the primary high-level wrestler to have such a vibrant highlight on him earlier than he throws a single punch — look no additional than UFC contender Bo Nickal as an ideal instance — however not one of the consideration bothers him.
Actually, Oliver says no person will ever set a better customary than he does for himself so he welcomes the goal that can undoubtedly land on his again.
“I just like the expectations,” Oliver mentioned. “Everyone will let you know the quote stress makes diamonds however stress, that’s one thing I’ve handled my entire life. You study to execute underneath it. You study that stress is definitely good for you.
“If there’s a goal on my again, superior. As a result of proper now if there’s a goal on my again, it’s solely going to get greater. My expectations are excessive as a result of I wish to placed on a efficiency. It’s one thing I at all times did in wrestling. I at all times wish to be the group favourite. I open the door for stress and invite it in.”
