In the current NCAA wrestling season, only a few teams are attracting the attention of fans. Indeed, not all programs are dominating on the mat, but the community is paying close attention to those who are. David Taylor’s OSU is one such team that has come up most of the time on the top step of the podium, and the Olympic champion has been a successful trainer in his first year as a head coach.

Furthermore, the Cowboys have had many guests on the campus, watching their bouts or even attending a training session with them. Recently, a certain UFC star expressed interest in Taylor’s NCAA team. Months before their bout in Mexico City, they had a great time with the Cowboys and were not shy to share their experiences, particularly the influence of the Olympic champion’s team on them.

A good prep for his major bout

So who is this UFC star who trained with David Taylor and his team? It was Diego Lopes. The Brazilian will be facing one of his Mexican rivals, Yair Rodriguez, on March 29, 2025, at Arena CDMX in Mexico City. Indeed, there will be a lot of pressure on Lopes, as he will be competing in his rival’s home arena, where many locals would’ve already predicted the way he will be thrashed the moment he enters the octagon.

However, not wasting any time, Lopes found himself at Oklahoma State University, but what for? He wanted to train with the Cowboys, who are currently led by Taylor. Indeed, many people are aware of the influence of the Olympic champion, and the UFC star expressed a desire to spend some time with the head coach and his team before his major bout. And what about his experience? Taking to Instagram, Lopes described his thoughts after training with Taylor and the Cowboys, stating, “Amazing 10 days of training!! Thanks, @magicmanosu and @cowboywrestling @cowboy.rtc, for having me and helping me become a better person and athlete. See you soon 👊🏻🙌🏻”

The UFC star shared his thoughts with the world on Cowboy RTC’s Instagram post. The video had nothing but moments that showcased Lopes’ time with the team, as they posted it with a caption, stating, “It’s been a privilege having Diego train with us here in Stillwater. Looking forward to seeing him dominate in his next fight!” Indeed, not only the whole UFC community is excited, but the wrestling fans have also joined the train of hype. And even though there’s a lot of time on the Brazilian’s hands, he chose to spend it with Taylor to gain some experience. The Olympic champion has a unique charm that stems from his mentality.

One of David Taylor’s reasons for dominating in the NCAA

When the OSU management decided to hire David Taylor for the 2024–25 season and beyond, many doubts lingered in the community. Indeed, the Olympic champion had never coached a team, and assuming the role of head coach for a program such as the Cowboys was a significant challenge. However, Taylor managed to navigate through the challenges and grab the required honor from the community.

In no time, the Olympic champion became one of the favorites of the current season, all thanks to the mentality that he poured into his wrestlers. “Um, I want the guys to make mistakes; that’s the easiest way we’re going to figure things out, you know, and I don’t know; guys are just pushing themselves in practice, and it’s momentum,” said the OSU head coach when asked about what he expects from his students.

Indeed, Taylor is not your typical coach; he expects his wrestlers to perform beyond just winning. He wants them to go and dominate the stage by trying out new techniques and pushing them beyond their current limits. But how have his wrestlers responded to this? For now, OSU is in a strong position, with many bouts remaining in the current season to establish themselves for the NCAA title contention.