Ed Ruth isn't just an athlete. He's one of the most accomplished active wrestlers in the western world today. As a four-time NCAA Division I All-American, three-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion and 2016 Olympic hopeful, he is a rare pro-ready option for high-level mixed martial arts and can be expected to have at least a fair degree of success against solid competition on Day 1.
Ruth is the kind of fighter MMA promotions traditionally trip over themselves to pursue and the kind of fighter any organization would be lucky to have. And on Monday, he likely became the first of many to openly pass on the opportunity to join the UFC because of the Reebok deal.