The Open Mat

NCAA champ Mir suffers first pro MMA loss in massive upset

Bella Mir's bid for a UFC contract was derailed Tuesday night in the biggest upset in Dana White's Contender Series history. Alex Apodaca handed Mir the first loss of her professional MMA career, earning a unanimous decision in the women's bantamweight main event at the Meta APEX.

Boyle wins U20 world title, Team USA claims team title

Team USA closed the 2026 U20 World Championships in historic fashion, earning medals in all four remaining men's freestyle weight classes to complete a 10-for-10 run on the podium. The Americans finished with four gold medals, three silvers and three bronzes while securing their third consecutive team championship. Ohio State commit Michael Boyle delivered the final gold medal with a dominant 12-2 technical superiority in the 97-kilogram championship match.

Bassett captures U20 world title, USA leads

Team USA continued its dominant run in men's freestyle on Saturday night at the 2026 U20 World Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia, collecting four more medals and pushing its tournament total to six through the first six weight classes. Virginia Tech incoming freshman Bo Bassett supplied the latest gold, rallying past Japan's Takuto Osedo for an 8-2 victory in the 65 kilograms championship match.

Seidel, Sinclair claim U20 world titles

Team USA went two-for-two in its first men's freestyle medal opportunities Friday night at the 2026 U20 World Championships, with Virginia Tech's Aaron Seidel and Missouri's Aeoden Sinclair both leaving Bratislava, Slovakia, as world champions.

Graber, Fernandez earn bronze medals at U20 Worlds

Team USA closed out the women's freestyle competition at the 2026 U20 World Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia, with two bronze medals Friday evening. McKendree incoming freshman Caley Graber and top senior recruit Taina Fernandez both reached the podium while Iowa's Karlee Brooks finished fifth.

Leydecker repeats as U20 world champion

Iowa incoming freshman Everest Leydecker added another world title to her resume Thursday night at the 2026 U20 World Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia, securing her second consecutive U20 world championship with a second-period pin in the 55-kilogram finals.

Seidel, Sinclair advance to finals of U20 World Championships

The United States remains unbeaten in men's freestyle after the opening wave of competition at the 2026 U20 World Championships, with Virginia Tech's Aaron Seidel and Missouri's Aeoden Sinclair both advancing to the gold medal round.

Leydecker reaches finals of U20 Worlds for second straight year

Iowa incoming freshman Everest Leydecker is through to the U20 World Championship finals after a dominant 8-0 shutout over 2026 U20 Asian silver medalist Meilin Zhou of China at 55 kilograms Wednesday evening, becoming the first American to reach the finals in Slovakia this week.

Gordon named head wrestling coach at Ashland

Marcus Gordon is returning to Ashland University as head wrestling coach, director of athletics Al King announced Tuesday. Gordon, a former AU wrestler and assistant coach, becomes the 11th head coach in program history. Gordon takes over a program that won five Great Midwest Athletic Conference championships in six seasons under Colt Sponseller.

Lock Haven adds Pinto to coaching staff

Lock Haven's wrestling program announced Tuesday via social media that it has hired Lenny Pinto as an assistant coach, adding him to head coach Scott Moore's staff. Pinto most recently competed for Rutgers in 2025-26 after transferring from Nebraska, where he wrestled from 2021 through 2025.

Iowa incoming freshman Whiting remains alive at U20 Worlds

Iowa incoming freshman Taylor Whiting remains alive at the 2026 U20 World Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia, after the opening day of the women's wrestling competition. Colorado Mesa's Gretchen Donally was eliminated from the tournament.

Juniata names Mangle head wrestling coach

Juniata College has named Josh Mangle as head coach of its men's and women's wrestling programs, the athletics department announced. Mangle comes to Juniata after serving as an assistant coach at Eastern University, where he helped the program through its inaugural season.

Johnston named head wrestling coach at Air Force

Joe Johnston has been named head wrestling coach at the United States Air Force Academy, interim director of athletics Dr. Nancy Hixson announced. Johnston, who spent eight seasons as an assistant at Air Force, takes over from Sam Barber, who retired from coaching July 15 and was promoted to associate athletic director.

Koll receives three-year contract extension at UNC

Rob Koll has agreed to a three-year contract extension at North Carolina, keeping him in Chapel Hill through June 30, 2029. UNC's Board of Trustees approved the terms in late July.

Iowa's Chun named USA coach for U20 World Championships

Iowa women's wrestling head coach Clarissa Chun has been named a USA Wrestling women's freestyle coach for the 2026 U20 World Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia, Aug. 16-23. The women's freestyle competition is set for Aug. 18-21.

Vega returns to Minnesota as assistant coach

Minnesota wrestling has added Leroy Vega as an assistant coach, head coach Brandon Eggum announced Wednesday. Vega returns to his alma mater after seven seasons at Purdue. Vega spent seven years with the Boilermakers, most recently serving as head assistant coach after being elevated to that role in June 2024.

William Penn names Creasy head men's wrestling coach

William Penn University has named Jackson Creasy as head men's wrestling coach, athletics director Grant Farris announced. Creasy comes to William Penn after serving as an assistant coach at NCAA Division III Eureka College during the 2025-26 season, where four of his athletes earned all-conference recognition.

Baker names Boone head men's wrestling coach

Baker University has named Dallas Boone as head men's wrestling coach. Boone comes to Baker after spending the past season as an assistant coach and game-day operations coordinator at Avila University, where he assisted with recruiting, athlete development and program operations while leading team practices and individual technique sessions.

No. 1 Lemus commits to Wayland Baptist

Leilani Lemus, one of the most decorated girls' wrestlers in California high school history, has announced her commitment to continue her wrestling career at Wayland Baptist. The Clovis High School senior closed out her prep career as a four-time CIF state champion.

Tyson named head women's wrestling coach at Campbellsville

Campbellsville has tabbed Nicole Tyson to lead its women's wrestling program, bringing more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience and a resume built on national championship success as both athlete and coach.

'Firefly' Humphries transferring to Life U

Tamara "Firefly" Humphries is transferring to Life University, joining the top program in NAIA women's wrestling after a standout freshman season at Pitt-Johnstown. Wrestling at 117 pounds, Humphries anchored Pitt-Johnstown's inaugural varsity women's wrestling season.

Lehigh finalizes coaching staff, adds McGee

Lehigh head wrestling coach Brad Dillon has finalized his coaching staff for the 2026-27 season, promoting both of his assistants and adding a decorated newcomer to the room. Zack Rey moves up to associate head coach, Vincenzo Joseph shifts into a full-time assistant role and three-time All-American Michael McGee joins the Mountain Hawks as an assistant.

Hunter retires as Chadron State men's wrestling coach

Brett Hunter is stepping away from the Chadron State wrestling program, retiring as head men's wrestling coach after a career that left its mark on Nebraska wrestling at every level. It was first reported by NEwrestle.

NCAA champ Mir suffers first pro MMA loss in massive upset

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NCAA champ Mir suffers first pro MMA loss in massive upset

Boyle wins U20 world title, Team USA claims team title