One prize isn't enough. The Greco-Roman wrestler turned Bellator featherweight champion Joe Warren wants more even more gold."I'm still young, I'm making a big push for it," Warren said on the latest MMA Hour. "2012, I'd like to have both Bellator belts and a Gold medal at the Olympics."
Warren is looking to compete for Bellator five times this year, while continuing to prepare himself to wrestle in the 2012 Olympics in London.
After the non-title fight with Galvao, Warren will make a featherweight title defense in August and then wrestle in September. In October, he will join Bellator's bantamweight tournament, a division he prefers as 135 is his natural fighting and wrestling weight.
Ultimately, his focus in 2012 depends on his chances in winning at the Olympics. Warren will receives a strong indication when he competes at the U.S. Open in December and expects to know by January 2012 if he can compete at the Olympic level or if he should stick to MMA.
Warren won important medals in 2006 and 2007, but his run towards the 2008 Summer Olympics came to an end due to a failed drug test. In 2007, Warren was handed a two-year suspension for testing positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
At 34, Warren still dreams of competing in the Olympics. Luckily, Bellator has been supportive of his chase.
"They understand that's a dream of mine," he said. "It's the only thing I haven't won in wrestling. I've won the worlds, the Pan-Ams, and the world cup, all the nationals, Sullivan awards. I just haven't won the Olympics."
Warren (6-1) made his MMA debut in March 2009 and signed with Bellator last year. In the promotion's featherweight tournament, Warren defeated Eric Marriott, Georgi Karakhanyan, Patricio Freire and Joe Soto en route to capturing the title.
Bellator has also been supportive of yet another one of Warren's goals. Warren enjoys being in front of the camera and plans to pursue a broadcasting position after he retires.
Last month, Warren took in some extra TV time on an episode of TNA Impact! to promote the Bellator season four premiere. Warren, who will likely return in a guest commentating role with the pro wrestling company after Saturday's fight, won't cross off the idea of jumping inside the ring. Perhaps a step inside the squared circle could just be another chance for Warren to attain gold?
"I mean why not?" said Warren. "If we have some time off. It's a lot of fun."
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