The freestyle wrestling world championships are upon us. It's a pretty exciting time for wrestling. Here's a rundown of the major highlights for American fans...
57kg- We have a tough young kid in Tony Ramos who has separated himself from the rest of the competition in the US. He's violent and aggressive and likes to get in his opponents' faces. And this has been a traditionally strong weight for us in recent years. We've had a string of guys place in the top 5. Unfortunately, this year a handful of super-tough international competitors have emerged, and I don't think Ramos is going to beat them this year. I'm most excited about Bonne from Cuba who seems to completely manhandle his opponents. And he's only ranked third. The first ranked guy is a reclusive wrestler from North Korea. It'll be interesting to see how this weight goes down.
74kg- We have the legendary Jordan Burroughs. At 27 he's already one of the five best wrestlers we've ever produced. He's coming off three world-level golds, as well as last year's world bronze. He's only the 4th wrestler to ever win an NCAA title and world title in the same year, and the only American wrestler with three undefeated international seasons. Last year he lost at worlds to the Russian Tsargush after he sprained an MCL earlier in the tournament. It was unfortunate because he had beaten Tsargush twice previously. It would have been nice to see Burroughs go for revenge next week, but Tsargush didn't make the Russian team. Burroughs has been steamrolling the competition, and I expect to see him atop the podium next week.
125kg- UFC-signee and all around Russian beast Makhov is here. He will competing for Russia in both Greco and freestyle, which is unheard of. He's already won five world-level medals in freestyle and one in Greco -- which is also unheard of -- so it should be interesting to see if he could win a medal in both styles in the same week.
86kg- Absolute phenom Sadulaev is here. I mean, the kid is only 19 and he's already a returning world champ who smoked the field last year. Not even freestyle GOAT Satiev won a world title until the age of 20. Also, just look at the kid's wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdulrashid_Sadulaev
65kg- For the US, Metcalf is here. He was an NCAA legend who seemed invincible outside his then-shocking losses to Bellator-signed Darrion Caldwell. (Here's their famous match from the 2009 NCAA finals: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWPm4Y11Leg>.) He's separated himself from the field in the US, but at the age of 29 he's only ever won one match at worlds. This could be his best chance yet to win a world medal because worlds are being held in Vegas (home field advantage) and a number of recent rule changes have made his high-energy, bruising style more effective. He's currently ranked number two in the world, so here's to hoping he finally wins some hardware.
Got to see Burroughs live at the pan ams. Dude was completely on a different level than his competitors. 
VU. Thanks for the breakdown, and what is the easiest way to watch these matches?
Tickets... I've got tickets if anyone needs them.
https://unitedworldwrestling.org/event/world-championship-senior-1
live streaming every match
espn2 and 3 will have some on as well
flow wrestling will be streaming as well
Greco monday-tuesday and 85k wednesday... Bisek will be factor... only USA world medalist in greco in forever... got bronze last year... probably the best gut wrench in the USA
chiks wrestle wednesday and thursday... we have a legit chance at 2 golds there with foxy momma maroulis at 55kg and #1 ranked gray at 75kg...
mens freestyle friday and saturday... Sadulaev ay 86kg might be the scariest wrestler on the planet... his guts are nasty nasty... really hoping for a decent draw for my man herbert to get a shot at a medal... we have snyder at 97kg a 19 year old that is set to break out and be a threat for gold... hoping metcalf gets over the hump at 65kg...
but, seriously... Sadulaev... watch him... p4p best wrestler on the planet right now...
Voted up
Thx dude
No logan stieber?? Or is he burroughs weight class?? He used to beat ramos all the time 
steiber is way lighter than burroughs... he got third (i think at the us open)... his main problem is them removing 61kg from an olympic weight... he is too small for 65 and too big for 57... and he spent his time chasing NCAA immortality other than world accolades...
but, seriously... Sadulaev
Son of Neckbone - VU. Thanks for the breakdown, and what is the easiest way to watch these matches?
Aside from United World Wrestling's website, you can try these links:
https://twitter.com/TakedownWrestle/status/640945646120210432
For an American, I think Burroughs is the man to watch. He's aggressive, he scores lots of points, and he likes to dominate. I think his leg attacks are the best in the world.
After Burroughs, your best bet is embracing the Russian man-child Sadulaev. His career could easily get derailed by an injury or weight change or a loss of focus, but he could also be an emerging GOAT.
Hercules Rockefeller - Got to see Burroughs live at the pan ams. Dude was completely on a different level than his competitors.
Yep, pretty incredible.
Here are his two matches against 4x NCAA champ Kyle Dake at this year's world team trials. The second match is much more exciting:
Match 1--> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK0hqDx95ZA
Match 2--> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4fcZ6r6NQc
JSargus - Tickets... I've got tickets if anyone needs them.I might need 1 for Friday and Saturday...how much?
I am no fan of Greco-Roman wrestling. Like at all. To me it's super boring. (Greco does not allow leg attacks.)
That said, today at worlds there was a MONSTER throw in a Greco match.
Check out this throw. In this clip the Russian Vlasov (Olympic and world champ) throws the Armenian Julfalakyan (2014 world champ and 5x world medalist):
https://twitter.com/YaayoRocha/status/640945118636216320/video/1
Thanks for the info bonnie. Looks like it should be a good worlds, some great guys competing. I'll be keeping my open for links and youtube uploads.
Like I said before, UFC-signed heavyweight Bilyal Makhov is representing wrestling powerhouse Russia in both Greco and freestyle this week. That is very unusual. Dude's a beast.
The Greco heavyweight competition just wrapped up tonight. Surprisingly, Cuba's Lopez took a silver medal (after being undefeated since 2011). The Turk Kayaalp won the gold. Makhov took bronze like he did last year.
Oddly, Makhov (the Russian beast) hit Lopez (the Cuban monster) in the first round because they use a blind draw system at worlds. Dumb. Makhov lost a close one to Lopez before going on a run, but he looked winded at times. Hopefully he's in good enough shape to compete for a freestyle medal as well.
The Makkhov/Robbie Smith bronze medal bout was awesome!
I thought Smith had him but to no avail.
And what a monster Mahov is. Just cut from marble it seems and towers over the field.
my entire family was huddles around a 20" monitor cheering for robbie... regardless of the outcome, he proved he could wrestle with be st in the world...
GRECO4LIFE!!!!
ANYONECANGRABLEGS!!!!
SOTSTRONG!!!!
Is David Taylor competing? I love watching him wrestle