Top strikers who made full time transition to MMA?

Discussion in 'MMA Forum' started by Bokaj, Aug 31, 2019.



  1. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Who are the top fighters from a striking discipline who made the transition to MMA? I don't count someone like James Toney, since he wasn't a top boxer anymore and only went over for one fight. But Cro Cop, Overeem and Holly Holmes were still near the top (I think) and made a full time transition. Any more? Any top Muy Thai fighters?
     
  2. mirkofilipovic

    mirkofilipovic ESB Management Full Member

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    Igor Vovchanchyn
    Sergei Kharitonov
    Melvin Manhoef
    Mark Hunt
     
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  3. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Of them only Hunt seems to have been a top practitioner in a striking discipline, though, as far as I can gather.
     
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  4. mirkofilipovic

    mirkofilipovic ESB Management Full Member

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    they all were pretty elite, check out Igors kickboxing record.
     
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  5. Angler Andrew

    Angler Andrew Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I don't know anymore but it tells you something about the sport when a retired England Rugby player is asked by Bellator to come and fight for them at heavyweight?I mean he's a rugby player FFS.
     
  6. mirkofilipovic

    mirkofilipovic ESB Management Full Member

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    They also asked a street fighter in Kimbo slice to join, its all about revenue with these cross promotional athletes. Bob Sapp only got fame because he was massive and a former NFL player.
     
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  7. UnleashtheFURY

    UnleashtheFURY D'oh! Full Member

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    Kharitonov has legit amateur boxing pedigree and later competed at a decent level in K-1.
     
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  8. The Funny Man 7

    The Funny Man 7 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Cosmo Alexander is the guy who just shattered Sage Northcutt's face. He's a multiple time Muay Thai champion.
     
  9. Somali Sanil

    Somali Sanil Wild Buffalo Man banned Full Member

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    Hes going to be slaughtered if not matched safely, like to the point its not worth trying it

    Regards Sanil
     
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  10. Somali Sanil

    Somali Sanil Wild Buffalo Man banned Full Member

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    And a force for a round or two, he was a black eye for MMA Sapp, legitimately beat some of the best ever with nothing but muscle

    Regards Sanil
     
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  11. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Yeah, Sapp is a bit unfairly mostly remembered for his late career. He made quite a bit of what he had.

    Actually, he qualifies as a top level practitioner in a striking disciple making the transition to MMA, even though it wasn't the kind of guy I had in mind. :)
     
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  12. It's Ovah

    It's Ovah I'm your huckleberry, that's just mah game Full Member

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    Yes, he does.

    This content is protected
     
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  13. It's Ovah

    It's Ovah I'm your huckleberry, that's just mah game Full Member

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    Back in the day Maurice Smith was a pretty top level striker who was also very active in MMA. Probably the first really decent striker in MMA history in fact.
     
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  14. Babality

    Babality KTFO!!!!!!! Full Member

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    Who did he beat in MMA that was one of "the best ever"? He beat Ernesto Hoost in kickboxing. Who else?
     
  15. Somali Sanil

    Somali Sanil Wild Buffalo Man banned Full Member

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    that's the fight I was thinking of actually
     
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