Discover seven MMA fighters who have competed in other combat sports and excelled in their respective disciplines. From Ronda Rousey’s Judo background to Alex Pereira’s kickboxing prowess, these fighters showcase the diverse skills in the world of MMA.
Fighter | Combat Sport |
---|---|
Ronda Rousey | Judo |
Mike Perry | Bare-knuckle Boxing |
Holly Holm | Boxing |
Khabib Nurmagomedov | Combat Sambo |
Israel Adesanya | Kickboxing |
Kron Gracie | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
Alex Pereira | Kickboxing |
Discover the diverse backgrounds and skills of these seven MMA fighters who have competed in other combat sports.
MMA Fighters Who Have Competed in Other Combat Sports
MMA, short for mixed martial arts, is a sport that combines various martial arts disciplines. It was founded to determine which fighting styles were the most effective. As a result, many MMA fighters have also competed in other combat sports. Let’s take a look at seven fighters who have excelled in different disciplines.
Ronda Rousey – Judo
Ronda Rousey, one of the most famous MMA fighters, started her combat sports career in Judo. She won a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics, becoming the first American woman to achieve such a feat in Olympic Judo. Judo’s influence on MMA is undeniable.
Mike Perry – Bare-knuckle Boxing
Mike Perry, once a promising MMA prospect, transitioned to bare-knuckle boxing after facing setbacks in his MMA career. He has been undefeated in bare-knuckle boxing and recently made headlines by defeating Luke Rockhold.
Holly Holm – Boxing
Holly Holm, known for her victory over Ronda Rousey, had a successful boxing career before transitioning to MMA. She was a multi-division champion and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Khabib Nurmagomedov – Combat Sambo
Khabib Nurmagomedov, the former UFC lightweight champion, has a background in Combat Sambo. He became a two-time Combat Sambo World Champion before making a name for himself in MMA.
Israel Adesanya – Kickboxing
Israel Adesanya, the current middleweight champion in the UFC, had a prolific career in kickboxing before transitioning to MMA. He had an impressive record of 75 wins and only five losses.
Kron Gracie – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Kron Gracie, part of the legendary Gracie family, is known for his exceptional grappling skills. He captured the ADCC World Championship in 2013 as a black belt.
Alex Pereira – Kickboxing
Alex Pereira, a former UFC middleweight champion, is regarded as one of the best kickboxers in the world. He holds the distinction of being the first-ever simultaneous two-division champion in Glory Kickboxing history.
These fighters showcase the diverse backgrounds and skills that contribute to the exciting world of MMA.
Quick Links
More from Sportskeeda
Edited by Taimoor Malik