Bo Bassett opens up on his dream to switch to combat sports alongside wrestling

Junior wrestler Bo Bassett has been making it big, ever since he clinched a bronze at the U20 Wrestling World Championships 2024. He recently conducted a Q&A session with his followers on Instagram, where he revealed some of his ambitions.

When asked by a follower if he would aim for a career in the MMA, Bassett replied on his Instagram story,

"I will be a UFC champion"

Screengrab of Bo Bassett's Instagram story [Image Source : Bo Bassett's Instagram]

This is not the first time that the teenage wrestling sensation has expressed his desire to make it big at the UFC. He had expressed his admiration for many MMA stars in one of his interviews published on the UFC website in early 2023.

"Obviously the wrestling guys like Pico and Nickal who are coming up, but Khabib was the man. Obviously McGregor. I love guys like that. That was pretty awesome when he fought Mayweather, the cross match with boxing. one guy I like also, Tito Ortiz back in the day. My dad was always a big fan of those guys, Chuck Liddell and stuff. It was always a lot of fun to watch those guys," mentioned Bassett.

Bassett is one of the highest-ranked junior wrestlers in the USA, who is yet to complete high school. He has one gold medal at the Cadet World Championships 2021 and a bronze medal from the U20 Wrestling World Championships 2024.

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Bo Bassett on his future ambitions

Bo Bassett in action at the Cadet Wrestling World Championships 2021 [Image Source: Bo Bassett's Instagram]

Bo Bassett is not even 18, yet he has made a name for himself in freestyle wrestling in the USA. The teenage wrestling sensation is undoubtedly a fan of the MMA, but he doesn't want to jump in very soon.

In the aforementioned interview, Bassett mentioned his ambitions, as well as his desire to compete at the Olympics at least once.

"My goal is to obviously go to college and get my degree. I also have the goal to win four NCAA titles. I think 2028 would be my best year, maybe 2032 Olympic cycle and transition into fighting,” Bassett said.

In another interview with MSN.com this year, Bassett also revealed his plans for the NCAA recruitment.

"Some wrestlers don’t like this process, but I can honestly say I am really enjoying it. My view is, I only get to do the recruiting process once, so I am going to enjoy it and have fun with it," the American wrestler added.

Bassett is currently pursuing his high school at Bishop McCort Catholic School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The American grappler is a part of the Young Guns Wrestling Club, in Pennsylvania.