Jordan Burroughs vs Mikey Caliendo - Youth and Aggression vs The Burroughs Factor

One of the smoothest wrestlers in the history of the sport is back to lock horns with one of college wrestling’s favorite bruisers. Jordan Burroughs may be the most decorated ambassador on the RAF14 card but Mikey Caliendo’s youth and style have given legends fits for years.

Jordan Burroughs and Mikey Caliendo have faced almost every style of wrestler imaginable and more often than not, come out on top. The two will finally meet in a match that sees two “Achilles heel” opponents clashing in a match that has “... of the Night” written all over it.

If you’re unfamiliar with Burroughs’ game, you have the most fun “homework” of all time to catch up on. He has Olympic gold, six World titles, countless Pan Am golds, two NCAA National titles and much more.

He’s beaten almost every man in the neighborhood of his weight class for over 20 years and he’s back, making a run at seemingly the only title he doesn’t have, RAF gold.

Caliendo might not have a mirroring trophy case but the two-time NCAA runner-up has a style that has not only made him one of the most celebrated college wrestlers in the past handful of years but makes him the perfect threat for Burroughs.

In 2025 Caliendo gave the world a taste of his freestyle capabilities when he captured U23 Nationals, winning 8-of-9 matches and handily defeating Daniel Cardenas in the finals.

He has come to RAF and immediately slotted himself in against the toughest in the sport. He’s one of the strongest dark horses in the division and in a position to take home a career-defining opponent and he certainly has the tools to do just that.

Burroughs has the finesse and proven track record. Caliendo has the youth, bruising style and endless gas tank. It will be one of the toughest matchups for both men at RAF but both have paths to victory.

For Burroughs he’ll need to do what he’s always done best and that’s making the first attack count the most. The Burroughs double leg has only gotten better with time and is the perfect equalizer to aggressive offenses.

Another key determining factor for Burroughs is stopping Caliendo from dictating the hand fighting. Hand fighting is the Trojan horse and catalyst for Caliendo’s physicality. Avoiding this doesn’t make the former Iowa Hawkeye less aggressive, it makes his attacks less-structured and easier to capitalize on.

Caliendo, on the other hand, will need to use distance and make lateral movement a key in keeping Burroughs shooting from a distance. You don’t want to give Burroughs the entries he’s looking for. Spending the opening minutes making Burroughs over extend and fight harder for position than he’s used to and Caliendo is in good shape. Keeping Burroughs out of position means his attacks will continue to be more and more flawed.

He will also need to utilize his “high-motor” to attack immediately after all offensive attacks. Burroughs’ blast double is coming, everybody knows it. Beginning every match in position to defend it can consistently turn those defensive moments into offense of his own.

Caliendo is no stranger to a scramble, don’t be afraid of turning messy exchanges into scoring opportunities.

The two are meeting at a time in which they’re both an equal threat to one another and it may be more of a dream matchup than some realize. It isn’t necessarily a “passing of the torch” match but both men carry the tools to take out the other with everything they both want on the other side of their RAF 14 matchup.

Catch Jordan Burroughs vs Mikey Caliendo at RAF14 LIVE Friday, October 23 ONLY on FOX Nation!