Despite MMA Success, Warren Still Wants to Wrestle

Joe Warren has made quite a splash in the MMA world. With only two fights under his belt -- wins over highly regarded Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto and former WEC champ Chase Beebe -- the former world champion Greco-Roman wrestler has advanced to the semifinals of Dream’s featherweight grand prix.

And while MMA is his job at the moment, don’t think he has lost the desire to wear Olympic gold -- a dream that was dashed when he was suspended after testing positive for marijuana in 2007, forcing him out of the 2008 Beijing Games.

Warren, whom I spoke with Wednesday at Team Quest’s Southern California camp, boldly stated his goal for the Games of the XXX Olympiad.

“I am going to win the Olympics,” stated the former University of Michigan wrestler. “No one can beat me.”

A gold medal would likely be a very lucrative achievement for Warren. Thanks to a new program, USA Wrestling’s “Living the Dream Medal Fund,” a first-place finish will garner you $250,000.

“I think I am going to enter two weight divisions,” joked Warren, whose wrestling suspension ends in July.

In the mean time, he will attempt to best Bibiano Fernandes, Hideo Tokoro and Hiroyuki Takaya on Sept. 23 in Japan.