IMMAF) takes a look back at some of the best sportsmanship and good morals displayed across the various platforms of Mixed Martial Arts and associated combat sports. As the two nation’s nuclear talks swamped the mainstream media, in 2013 Iranian freestyle wrestling fans flocked in their masses as a crowd of 15,000 gave a huge ovation to the USA team who were invited for friendly competition in the Iranian capital of Tehran. Alongside their rivals on the mat, both Iran and the USA stand as two of the leading powers of Wrestling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SdINl-4gD4 Iran went on to win the competition overall, and with fans holding signs saying “we are all wrestling fans”, it’s clear that the historic political rivalry that exists between the two nations does not transcend to the Iranian public. Fans roared in support of American Jordan Burroughs who claimed gold at the London 2012 Olympics with victory over Iran’s Sadegh Goudarzi. In the 2015 Freestyle Wrestling World Cup, the Iranian team went on to win the gold medal position with the USA taking the silver medal spot. Burroughs commented on his enjoyment of the Iranian fans following a victorious bout in Los Angeles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ2bU8xjoPI For decades wrestling, perhaps like no other sport, has shown that it has the power to unite nations such as the USA, Iran and Russia on common ground, breaking down the perception of resentment between the people of rival nations. [/spb_text_block]]]>
