The 21st century has seen a resurgence in the popularity of combat sports, thanks to a booming heavyweight division and the meteoric rise of MMA. According to NewBettingSites, combat sports are now hugely popular with punters, but it’s not only bettors and traditional fight fans who find themselves drawn to the action in the ring and octagon.
Sportsmen from other spheres have also had their interest piqued – with several taking this interest to the next level and entering the ring, either professionally or at the amateur level. Here, we look at a selection of sporting stars who have taken a detour into the worlds of Boxing or Mixed Martial Arts.
Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar is a great example of an athlete who has tried it all. He started in collegiate wrestling, became a big name in professional wrestling with WWE, and then jumped into MMA. Lesnar was a beast in amateur wrestling, winning the NCAA Division I heavyweight championship twice. WWE noticed his talent, and he became one of their top stars. But Brock wasn't satisfied with that—he took on the UFC and beat Randy Couture to claim the Heavyweight title before successful defences against Frank Mir and Shane Carwin.
Herschel Walker
Herschel Walker is an NFL legend who didn't stop after his football career. Walker was a standout running back, winning the Heisman Trophy in college and making it to the Pro Bowl in the NFL. Even after retiring from football, Walker stayed in incredible shape and developed a love for MMA. At 47, he made his professional MMA debut and won his first two fights. A black belt in Taekwondo, Walker has also appeared on Celebrity Apprentice, competed as part of the United States bobsleigh team at the 1992 Winter Olympics, and ran for office!
Tim Tebow
Tim Tebow, known for his time as an NFL quarterback and a stint in professional baseball, also dipped his toes into combat sports. While Tebow hasn't gone pro in boxing, wrestling, or MMA, he’s trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and incorporated combat sports into his workouts.
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal, the NBA powerhouse, has also dabbled in MMA training. Known for his dominance on the basketball court, Shaq's physical strength and power translated well into MMA. While he hasn't fought professionally, his training sessions demonstrate how combat sports can help athletes stay in shape and take on new challenges.
Rio Ferdinand
Former English footballer Rio Ferdinand surprised many when he announced he wanted to become a professional boxer after retiring from soccer. Ferdinand, a top defender with Manchester United, turned to boxing to keep his competitive edge and stay fit. Although his pro boxing dreams were cut short due to regulatory issues, his attempt showed that footballers can find new ways to channel their competitive spirit through combat sports.
Greg Hardy
Greg Hardy is another athlete who moved from the NFL to professional boxing, bare-knuckle boxing, and MMA. A former defensive end, Hardy had a controversial football career but found a new path in the fight game. As of July 2024, Hardy boasts a perfect 3-0 professional boxing record, including a win over Haseem Rahman, Jr. In the UFC, his record stands at 7-5, with big knockout wins over Rasheem Jones and Tai Tuivasa.
Frank Gore
Frank Gore, one of the NFL's most durable and productive running backs, also made a surprising move into boxing. After an impressive football career where he became the third all-time leading rusher in NFL history, Gore decided to step into the boxing ring. He made his professional boxing debut in 2022 and promptly won his first two fights inside the distance.
