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Olympic Gold Winner Helen Maroulis Considering MMA, Inspired By Rousey

Olympic Gold Winner Helen Maroulis Considering MMA, Inspired By Rousey

 

 

Helen Maroulis has managed to generate some buzz before the Olympic games even started. This turned out to be her year and she successfully conquered her weight class to become the first ever golden medalist for team USA in women’s wrestling.

If you’re not familiar with her wrestling from the Olympics you can check out this short viral video detailing her inspiring journey from the toddler days to Olympic Gold:

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But things are far from over and we learned that Maroulis is considering a very lucrative career move – moving into mixed martial arts.

She’s even attended some jiu-jitsu classes:

“I looked into it and did some jiu jitsu practices,” Maroulis said. “It was really cool to see and pick everyone’s brains about transferring from wrestling to MMA. For men’s MMA, I think it’s shown it’s a pretty good change over.”

This opinion of course mirrors attitudes of many that the octagon setting favors wrestling over ground work.

 

While the money is important she feels she’s not done with wrestling just yet:

“We haven’t seen too much from the women yet just because not a lot of women have retired and switched over yet,” Maroulis said. “Sarah McMann and Tatiana (Padilla) have done really well. But I love wrestling and I want to keep wrestling first. I feel an honor and responsibility to stay in this sport.”

Helen doesn’t fail to credit others for inspiring her:

 

Jordan Burroughs has done such a great job representing us,” Maroulis said. “I think what Ronda Rousey did was amazing, not just for MMA but for women’s sports, especially combat sports. I think she’s awesome.”

Maroulis Takes Gold for USA Women Freestyle Wrestling, More Results