Burroughs vs Nurykau set for RAF Abu Dhabi on Nov 14
The rematch comes seven years after Burroughs edged Nurykau 11-10 at the World Championships.
Real American Freestyle has booked Jordan Burroughs against Azamat Nurykau for November 14 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. RAF announced the match as a rematch, billing Burroughs as an Olympic champ and six time World champ. Tickets are already on sale.
The first meeting is the reason this one has teeth. Jon Kozak says the pair wrestled at the 2019 World Championships, where Burroughs won 11-10 in a match he spent most of chasing. Per Kozak, Burroughs was down 6-2 early and still trailed 10-7 with 50 seconds left before closing with a takedown, a caution and a stepout.
What Nurykau brings
Kozak notes Nurykau never won a World medal but placed fifth at the World Championships four times. His win list includes Zaurbek Sidakov, Daichi Takatani, Bekzod Abdurakhmonov, Zurabi Iakobishvili, Timur Bizhoev, Yuhi Fujinami, Abubakr Abakarov, Magomedmurad Gadzhiev and Khetik Tsabolov. That is a run of World and Olympic medalists on the wrong end of his results, which is not the resume of a tune up opponent.
For RAF, it is another name match on a card already built around a marquee attraction. Kyle Snyder defending the promotion's light heavyweight belt against Shamil Erdogan in Abu Dhabi was earlier announced by the promotion.
Neither RAF nor Kozak has given a weight for the Burroughs match, and no result or buildup beyond the 2019 meeting has been announced.
What to watch
November 14 at Etihad Arena, with the full RAF Abu Dhabi lineup still filling in.
Whether RAF announces a weight and any title implications for the Burroughs bout.
JB was down early 6-2, and was down 10-7 with only 50 seconds to go.
Olympic Champ and 6x World Champ Jordan Burroughs runs it back against Azamat Nurykau
Nurikau never won a world medal but was 5th at worlds four times.