“The world wants to see me against Sadulaev”

David Taylor has won everything in struggle but he still has unfinished business.

After dominating everything before him at the US World Team Trials. To secure his place in the non-Olympic weight event in Albania later this month, the “Magic Man” could finally face Abdulrashid Sadulaev in a match.

The duo have arguably been the best wrestlers in the world since 2018. Taylor has claimed three world titles and Olympic gold at 86kg, while Sadulaev is a five-time world champion and two-time Olympic weightlifter.

Taylor used social media to call up Sadulaev for a match in 2020, but the clash never materialized. Now, at 92kg, a new weight class for both, the match fans have been longing for can finally become a reality.

“I have been in many important fights in my life and I have fought against all the legends of our sport. And he’s just the one guy I didn’t have to go to. So I really want to make this happen,” Taylor told Olympics.com after her trials victory.

“We’ve been considered two of the best two in the world for a while, but there’s been that separation of weight classes and other things. It’s a pretty crazy series of events that has led us both to be in this weight class for this event, a very low statistical probability. But now we could start fighting.”

Sadulaev won gold at Rio 2016 at 86kg representing Russia, and 97kg at Tokyo 2020 in 2021 wearing the colors of the Republic of China. He could not compete in Paris 2024 after being considered will not be eligible to compete as a Neutral Individual Athlete (AIN) in time for the Olympic Qualifiers. It will compete as AIN in Albania.

“We have very different styles. His counterattack, his tears and his chest blows are the best in the world. My offensive leg holds are at a very high level, so those are his best attributes versus mine. “Everything will depend on who executes.”

“I think it’s something that everyone wants to watch and pay attention to. And it’s something I have to prepare for and prepare for.