University of Wyoming wrestling alumni, Archie Colgan, prepares for his biggest fight of the season in Chicago at Bellator 288 MMA (mixed martial arts).
Colgan, who is now a professional MMA fighter, is also a UW wrestling alumni. Colgan started his UW career in 2013 and graduated in 2018. His collegiate record was 111-41, and in his MMA career has fought a total of eight fights over three years. His record this season is 5-0.
Transitioning from the mat to the cage, Colgan feels as though he was very prepared for this career change due to his experience with wrestling.
“It’s pretty common now for wrestlers to transition, just because there’s kind of a proven path to success for us. You have such a good skill set in wrestling, which also had been years and years of discipline and hard work to get to that point, and that just transfers over really well,” Colgan said.
Being on the wrestling team at the University of Wyoming helped Colgan level up his game by improving his mentality and strength.
“I think that wrestling in general really sculpted my mind, especially in the later years when I was in college. I was pretty immature coming into college, just mindset wise, and through the years of wrestling in college, I became more mature, “ Colgan said.
“And I think those all just kind of prepared me for the moments and the years that are coming in front of me with the fighting tool.”
In the sports world, athletes often have someone who inspires them to be their best and to do their best; Colgan believes his head coach has been the biggest inspiration for him in his MMA journey.
“My biggest influence would be my head coach, Justin Salas. He was also a former University of Wyoming wrestler and he transitioned into fighting, went off to the UFC, did great things and had a fantastic career and we just ran into each other and because he followed Wyoming wrestling he knew who I was and we just ran with it and started training.”
The inspiration coach Salas gives him is similar to the support that his coaches and his team at UW gave him. Colgan still has a strong relationship with his collegiate assistant head coach, Teyon Ware, even as he moved on to his professional career.
“He’s a mentor to me in life on and off the mat, and the cage now. He helps me a lot as a competitor and as a man, a husband, a father. Those things in life he’s helped me a lot even when I was in college. Our relationship wasn’t just wrestling, it was a lot more than that.” Colgan said.
Thinking ahead to his upcoming match against Iowa’s Jesse Hannam, Colgan stays humble and smart about it.
“Right now, where I’m at, every moment is leading up to my peak. So I think every fight and every moment is my biggest fight, my biggest moment, and so I think this is my biggest moment.”
Colgan’s fight takes place on Nov. 18 at 4:00 p.m. PST and is free to watch on Bellator MMA’s YouTube channel.
