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In a thrilling transition from the wrestling mat to the MMA cage, 2020 U.S. Olympic Team member Jordan Oliver is poised to make his much-anticipated debut in Bellator 298.
After four months of intense training at Kill Cliff FC in Deerfield Beach, Fla., Oliver is ready to showcase his skills in a featherweight clash against Andrew Triolo. The bout is scheduled to take place on August 11 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Oliver, with an impressive wrestling background, signed with Bellator in March, marking a new chapter in his athletic career. Having wrestled for four years at Oklahoma State University, Oliver boasts an impressive list of achievements. He is a 2019 U.S. national champion in freestyle wrestling, a two-time NCAA Division-I national champion in folkstyle wrestling, a four-time NCAA Division-I All-American, and a four-time Big 12 Conference champion in folkstyle wrestling.
Following his college wrestling career, Oliver had his sights set on the Olympics. In 2021, he represented the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team in the 65kg men's freestyle wrestling category, although he narrowly missed out on qualifying in the 2021 World Olympic Qualifier.
When asked about his transition to MMA, Oliver expressed his determination and the significance of this new challenge. He told MMA Junkie:
"I look at this as something bigger than the Olympic gold. This would mean more to me than Olympic gold. At the time I'm coming in and the work I'm going to have to put in, not only to win but to win with style and dominate, I think it'll fulfill me more to win a Bellator world title as a fighter."
His opponent, Andrew Triolo, will also be looking to make his mark in the featherweight division. Triolo made his professional MMA debut in April 2022 for LFA but suffered a first-round TKO loss to Adamu Isah. Since then, he has been eagerly awaiting his next opportunity to step into the cage.
Will his elite wrestling skills translate seamlessly into the cage, or will Triolo provide a formidable challenge? One thing is certain: Oliver's determination to become a world champion in Bellator is palpable. With his sights set on a Bellator world title, Jordan Oliver is ready to make his mark and seize this new opportunity to shine on the grandest stage of MMA.