Check out our in depth previews for tomorrow's (August 20) action. For USA, J'den Cox (86kg) and Tervel Dlagnev (125kg) will be taking the mat.

86KG Olympic Preview

Can the Olympic rookie make it look as easy in Rio?

Sometimes all it takes is a change of weight class. No one questioned J'Den Cox's talent or skill level at 97kg, but he is a different animal at 86kg. One that can hang with the best in the world on the right day.

The Contender

#1 Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RUS) - two-time defending world champ

Yes, there is only one contender. The best men's freestyler in the world will also be making his Olympic debut. Sadulaev is so dominant, one of the questions asked in the Team USA coaching interview was how to stop this man.

We've seen bigger favorites lose, but I'm betting the farm on Sadulaev. Mike Mal goes into him a little more in depth, but I fully agree with his scouting report. Getting Sadulaev to break position is hard enough by itself without having to worry about his single leg and fireman's carry.

The Other Guys

#3 Reineris Salas Perez (CUB) - two-time world silver medalist
#13 Alireza Karimi (IRI) - 2015 world bronze medalist and 2014 junior world champ
#15 Sharif Sharifov (AZE) - 2012 Olympic gold medalist, 84kg

For a long time, Alireza Karimi was my number two in this field. After seeing him wrestle with a hurt shoulder and Sharifov entering the fold, I'm not so sure about that.

Either way, Karimi is a jackhammer. He doesn't have the prettiest shot, and when he reaches he can get snapped down. But most of the time, his drags to go behind and the sheer bulldog mentality on his leg attacks will get him to finish.

He is probably most effective with a single to double leg transition, but he can also hit ankle picks and blast doubles under the right circumstances. But what truly makes him terrifying is that he can hit guts to either side. Some opponents can definitely match Karimi on his feet, but the par terre game will win him most matches.

Karimi manhandles 2013 world champ Aldatov


It seems like a simple thing, but part of what makes Sharif Sharifov so special is his ability to finish leg attacks. It's one thing to get around behind, which he is able to do on a consistent basis. It's quite another to convert into takedowns, something he does at a very high rate.

He is the reigning Olympic champ for a reason. Although he wasn't quite as successful converting up ay 97kg, he is back down to 86kg again. His win over Cox at the German Grand Prix showed the weight cut should not be a factor for him.

Sharifov wallops two-time world champ Reza Yazdani


Salas Perez was the first world finals opponent for Sadulaev. He wound up not placing last year, but is up to third in the world after not losing a match in six tournaments so this year. In 2016, he has spent the majority of his time up a weight to 97kg.

You can get away with that when you are as freakishly strong as Salas Perez, but it also proves how big of a frame you must have to hang at this weight. This is where the size and weight separation starts to become noticeable as compared to the lighter men's freestyle weights.

Salas Perez shows off his strength

How J'Den Cox Can Medal

The big question here, has Cox developed a par terre turn yet? We know his snap down/go behind is world class already. We know about the reaction time and flexibility which makes him so difficult to take down.

But the difference at the big boys is the ability to turn other 86kg sized manimals. You have to think he has been working on a leg lace, as most of Team USA is trying to become known for that match ender.

One thing no one can question is Cox's ability to absorb technique and body movements faster than just about anyone. If his personal coach Mike Eierman, as well as the full American staff  at various training camps, has him bought into a training program for par terre turns, he can medal in Rio.

That being said, I don't see it happening. Cox dropped down from 97kg just like many of the hammers above, and has been remarkable in the few competitions we've seen him. Guys like Selim Yasar (TUR), Mihael Ganev (BUL), and defending Olympic silver medalist Jamie Espinal (PUR) may not be able to knock off Sadulaev, but they are every bit the landmines that could derail a medal run for the two-time NCAA champ from Missouri.

Bracket breakdown and reactions for J'den/Tervel

Predictions

GOLD: Abdulrashid Sadulaev, Russia
SILVER: Alireza Karimi, Iran
BRONZE: Sharif Sharifov, Azerbaijan
BRONZE: Reineris Salas Perez, Cuba
FIFTH: Selim Yasar, Turkey
FIFTH: J'Den Cox, USA

125kg Olympic Preview

It's time to preview the big boys! Check out the 125kg men's freestyle preview below.

The Contenders

No. 1 Geno Petriashvili (GEO) - two-time world bronze and 2016 Euro champ
No. 2 Bilyal Makhov (RUS) - three-time world champ and 2012 bronze medalist
No. 4 Taha Akgul (TUR) - two-time defending world champion

Only one heavyweight has won a medal at all three world championships this quad: Taha Akgul. The 25-year-old Turk will make his second Olympic appearance after not placing at the London Games in 2012, where he lost 1-0, 3-0 to Bilyal Makhov in the second round.

Akgul laces up Makhov in Las Vegas:


But since that loss in London, Akgul has been defeated just twice, and accumulated three European titles, two senior-level world titles, and two world university golds. Because of his consistent dominance, Akgul No. 3 in my pound-for-pound rankings.

Akgul's biggest issue is his gas tank, and Geno Petriashvili took advantage of that in a come-from-behind win at Euros in March. But normally, Akgul counters that by not over-exerting himself in the early rounds and saving his A+ performances for his toughest foes.

Akgul blows lead to Petriashvili:


Akgul posted one of his two losses to Petriashvili, who is currently ranked No. 1 in the world despite not winning Georgian Nationals. He lost in the semifinals there to 2012 silver medalist Davit Modzmanashvili--his only loss since last year's world championships in Las Vegas.

Petriashvili avenged his loss to Jamalladin Magomedov at Golden Grand Prix, and then went on a tear by winning the Medved Prizes as well as both the senior-level and U23 Euro championships. An undersized heavyweight, he likes to shoot snag singles on his opponent's right leg.

Bilyal Makhov dabbled in Greco-Roman for a while, but now, he's back for one final run at men's freestyle gold until he makes the transition to UFC.

At 6-7, he is the tallest athlete in the field, and a crazy leverage threat to everyone. It's almost impossible not to bury your head against him, or prevent him from locking up gut wrenches.

The Dark Horses

No. 6 Komeil Ghasemi (IRI) - 2014 world silver and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist
No. 8 Jamalladin Magomedov (AZE) - 2011 world bronze and 2015 world silver
No. 14 Tervel Dlagnev (USA) - two-time world bronze medalist

Iran's team has had a trying year, and Komeil Ghasemi is no exception. He did not wrestle last year at Worlds, but then won the Asian qualifier. He was locked in a battle with Parviz Hadi, which appeared decided after Ghasemi did not place at Stepan Sargasyan, which Hadi won. But the spot was ultimately decided in a three-match wrestle-off, so Ghasemi will be the representative in Rio.

Ghasemi has repeatedly foiled Dlagnev at world championships and world cups. They most recently wrestled at the Grand Prix of Paris, with Ghasemi winning 3-2 in the first round. The Iranian also defeated Dlagnev 4-0, 0-1, 1-0 in the bronze medal match in London.

Jamalladin Magomedov is under the radar and very consistent. He had a very poor world cup last year, but aside from that, has only lost to high-level competition. His Kryptonite, though, is Akgul, who lost to three times in the past year.

He reeled off some impressive credentials since 2015 by placing second in Vegas and taking bronze at the Euro Games last year. Magomedov also won the German Grand Prix last month, and grabbed silver at the Golden Grand Prix.

Magomedov guts Petriashvili at Worlds:

How Dlagnev Can Medal

The elder statesman of our men's freestyle team will likely be taking the mat for the last time. Dlagnev is the oldest member of the team, has wrestled in the most world championships, and this is his second Olympics.

Heading into Rio, Dlagnev's primary concern is his back. Since last year's world cup, when it first flared up, he only wrestled nine matches--four of which came at the Olympic Trials. The 30-year-old skipped the tune-up at the Grand Prix of Germany, but the Ohio RTC coaches seem confident he will be healthy in Rio.

Part of the reason the back issue is so concerning is Dlagnev's primary shot is a low single, which can put a lot of stress on his back. All American fans are hoping his training partners, Kyle Snyder and Conor Medbery, are gentle with him before wrestling starts on Saturday, August 20.

Bracket reactions for Tervel/J'den:

Predictions

GOLD: Taha Akgul, Turkey
SILVER: Geno Petriashvili, Georgia
BRONZE: Bilyal Makhov, Russia
BRONZE: Komeil Ghasemi, Iran
FIFTH: Jamalladin Magomedov, Azerbaijan
FIFTH: Tervel Dlagnev, USA

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