UFC 141 Fight Card: Alistair Overeem and the Seven Best Kickboxers in MMA

When former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion and current UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem enters the Octagon this Friday, he will become the most accomplished kickboxer fighting in the UFC's heavyweight division.

With a long list of accolades on Overeem's resume, one of his most amazing accomplishments was becoming the K-1 2010 World Grand Prix Champion.

In mixed martial arts, a number of kickboxers have found quite a bit of success.

As Overeem puts his world class striking on display at UFC 141, here are seven of the best kickboxers in MMA.

Edson Barboza

UFC lightweight Edson Barboza is one of the most dangerous strikers in the lighter weight classes, having gone undefeated in MMA since making his debut in 2009.

Prior to his move into MMA, Barboza was a kickboxing star, utilizing his vicious Muay Thai to amass a 25-3 record and numerous championships in his native Brazil.

Barboza's kickboxing skills have certainly been the reason for his continued success in MMA, with his Muay Thai skills winning him Fight of the Night bonuses in his last two outings.

Set to face Terry Etim at UFC 142 next year, Barboza will look to continue his dominance with his amazing kickboxing skill set.

Gegard Mousasi

Former Strikeforce Light-Heavyweight Champion and current Dream Light-Heavyweight Champion Gegard Mousasi does not have the same accolades in kickboxing as others on the list, but it is clear that he has used this aspect of the game to his advantage since making the move to MMA.

A former amateur boxing champion and Judo black belt, Mousasi took a liking for kickboxing and MMA after going 12-1 in boxing in the Netherlands.

In 2008. Mousasi took on Japanese kickboxing star Musashi in a K-1 rules bout at Dynamite!! 2008, despite them being in different weight classes.  Mousasi came out quick and knocked out the more experience Musashi in the first round.

Mousasi then faced K-1 Heavyweight champion Kyotaro at Dyanamite!! 2010, defeating the accomplished kickboxer via unanimous decision.

Since losing his Strikeforce title in April of last year, Mousasi has gotten back on track in his MMA career, going 4-0-1 in his last five fights, including winning and defending his Dream title.

Pat Barry

UFC heavyweight Pat Barry is a jovial figure outside of the Octagon, but don't let his humorous demeanor overshadow his kickboxing prowess.

Barry began his kickboxing career at the age of 21, and has since then amassed an 18-6-1 record in the sport.  

In the early 2000s, Barry began fighting in Sanshou, a Chinese style of kickboxing stemming from kung fu.  Between 2002-2008, Barry traveled to China on numerous occasions to train at the Shaolin Temple with the National Sanshou Team.

Before turning to MMA, Barry also participated in K-1, fighting in two grand prix tournaments in 2007.

Since joining the UFC, Barry has had an inconsistent time with the world's largest MMA promotion, going 3-4 in his seven UFC bouts.

Barry will look to stop a current two fight losing streak when he faces Christian Morecraft this coming January.

Cung Le

Like Barry, Cung Le's experience in kickboxing stems the Chinese striking art of Sanshou.

Le is unbeaten in the art, owning a perfect 17-0 record with 12 knockout victories.

When Le burst onto the MMA scene in 2006, his unorthodox kickboxing style baffled opponents.  The San Jose native won his first six fights and became the Strikeforce Middleweight champion with his technical knockout of Frank Shamrock in 2008.

Le has had some difficulties in recent years, going 1-2 in his last three fights.  His latest loss came at the hands of MMA legend Wanderlei Silva at UFC 139 as "the Axe Murderer" finished Le in the second round.

Despite the recent struggles, Le remains one of the best kickboxers in the sport.

Cheick Kongo

UFC Heavyweight Cheick Kongo is one of the most heavy-handed and decorated kickboxers in MMA.

With a 21-2 kickboxing record, including 12 knockouts, Kongo has translated this success into his MMA game where he holds a 17-6-2 record.

Kongo is a skilled savateur, having won the European Savate championship.  The French heavyweight has also won numerous Muay Thai and kickboxing championships during his career.

He will look to extend his two year unbeaten MMA streak when he faces Mark Hunt at UFC 144 in Japan next year.

Jérôme Le Banner

One of the most famous fighters in French kickboxing history, Jérôme Le Banner made the transition into MMA in 2001 and has fought on and off in the sport ever since.

With a kickboxing record of 71-20-1 (1), Le Banner is one of the most experience strikers out there and has been winning championships since 1990.

In MMA, Le Banner has had mild success, sporting a 3-2-1 record.  He does, however, own a first round knockout win over current UFC middleweight Yoshihiro Akiyama.

Le Banner is expected to have another kickboxing match at the end of the month, facing Andrei Kirsanov in Thailand on Dec. 30.

Alistair Overeem

Overeem's striking ability is tops in the heavyweight division, if not all of MMA.

"The Reem" has gone undefeated since a 2007 loss to Sergei Kharitonov, including four knockout wins. His latest knockout victory came at last year's Dynamite!! 2010, where Overeem finished Todd Duffee in just 19 seconds to win the Dream Heavyweight Championship.

His kickboxing skills shine through in each of his MMA bouts as Overeem has not forgotten his roots, having had his first professional kickboxing match at the age of 17. 

Since then, Overeem has gone 10-4 in kickboxing, including a 2010 run where he was crowned the K-1 2010 World Grand Prix Champion.  The previous year, Overeem placed third in the prestigious tournament.

With kickboxing wins over famed fighters Tyrone Spong and Peter Aerts, Overeem is the most feared kickboxer in MMA today.

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