He's going for United States wrestling gold in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the 86 kg division, but he'll be doing it under a mixed martial arts (MMA) contract.
Ed Ruth was announced today as the latest prospect to sign with Bellator MMA, and in the process, took a swipe at rival promotion Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which has been dealing with significant fighter backlash because of its recent exclusive sponsorship deal with Reebok (read more details here).
As a member of the Penn State University Nittany Lions, Ruth was a three-time wrestling national champion and four-time All-American. Ruth compiled a 132-12 for his collegiate career, but he believes he can be equally dominant -- if not more-so -- within the confines of a Bellator cage.
He explains:
"I've been talking with all the major organizations, and at the end of the day, I really believe in what Scott Coker is doing with Bellator. They're signing the top talent, they're putting on exciting fights, and they're letting me secure my own sponsors. It will be a little while until I step into the cage for the first time -- but when I do, everyone they put in front of me is in for a world of hurt."
Bold words perhaps, but Ruth is confident he can put Olympic gold around his neck and Bellator gold around his waist.
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