Fight Club: Top 10 NBA Stars That Could Be in the UFC

Sports fans have a natural curiosity when it comes to wondering how this or that player would fare in a different sport due to their athletic prowess.

You wonder how LeBron James would have done as a football player or Peyton Manning as a MLB pitcher. You try to apply Brandon Marshall's physical attributes and talents to an NBA court.

While watching this weekends "UFC 118" one could have seen how a boxer fared versus an "Octagon" veteran such as Randy Couture.

Then while surfing the Internet you may have stumbled upon a gem such as Howard Cosell's interview with Muhammad Ali and Wilt Chamberlain. It may have seemed like a stunt but in reality both "megastars" were negotiating a potential fight in New York City.

One may argue that Ali would have killed Wilt but then again you never know.

Wilt had a big reach and size advantage over Ali. He was also a great athlete at that time of his life. He would have had the stamina. Ali would have struggled or had to reach in order to land anything other than body punches.

Not to mention at the core of many people there is a natural instinct to fight. Wilt was the one actively baiting Ali to sign to fight him. When put in such a situation one can't guess what Wilt's primal abilities would have been like.

The worlds best fighter may have grown up to be a basketball player and never really explored his untapped potential. People always liked him, then he had an entourage in high school or college.

He turns pro and hires body guards. All the while he never risks injuring himself or jeopardizing his career by getting into an altercation.

All the while perhaps beneath the surface there is a person with the speed, instincts and strength to be an elite fighter. There is a ruthless, vicious, blood seeking warrior capable of pummeling others because of their physical and mental make up.

This would lead one to ponder how today's basketball stars would fare in a combat sport.

Since Boxing is fading faster than a spray tan, lets take MMA (Mixed-Martial Arts) as our example.

The list isn't going to go into NBA "Tough Guys" necessarily but will rather be comprised of "Star" basketball players whose athletic abilities may possibly be able to transfer into a ring. Guys that with some training would be able to naturally excel at fighting in the UFC.

Ali and Chamberlain Being Interviewed By Howard Cosell

Both men take subtle jabs at one another. Then Wilt goes on the aggressive and tries to get Ali to sign his name in the air or something. He tried to give Ali a pen but there was nothing there as far as paper work or a contract. Finally both men are measured and show what a possible square up between the two would have looked like.

Jim Brown Discusses The Ali Versus Chamberlain Fight.

This interview shows how Jim Brown not only knew of the rumored fight but was also active in trying to make it happen.

10. Rajon Rondo: Boston Celtics

Anyone as quick as Rondo would cause problems for others in a fight. He has also shown during his NBA career that he doesn't mind mixing it up a bit.

9. Derrick Rose: Chicago Bulls

Derrick Rose has the look of a fighter. He's well built and quick. You could definitely see him being a tough opponent with proper training.

8. Matt Barnes: Los Angeles Lakers

Matt Barnes is the Bill Lambeer of the newer, softer and more "PC" NBA.

Not sure why, but Barnes always seems to be getting into fracases with other players.

You can tell he's got a bit of a mean streak toward him.

If the Lakers and Heat square off in the Finals you could already see Barnes trying to bait either LeBron or Dwyane Wade into a fight.

7. Dwyane Wade: Miami Heat

There are guys who talk tough then there are those you can tell are tough.

Dwyane Wade might be all laughs and smiles in the public eye, but don't mistake him for soft. He has never been one to instigate a confrontation but he's also the last to back down from it. He also doesn't shy away from contact.

The fact that he's so competitive and grew up in Chicago would make one believe Wade could hold his own in a fight.

6. Nate Robinson: Boston Celtics

Ok, so he's short and he's not exactly an NBA "Star." Still, pound for pound, Nate Robinson is a pretty tough guy.

He has incredible athletic ability and with his size and frame would be a great light weight fighter. Robinson has been seen jumping over Dwight Howard and excelling at soccer with Steve Nash. Thus there's no telling what he would look like as an MMA fighter.

5. The Brazilians: Leandro Barbosa, Nene and Anderson Varejao

It's become quite apparent that every single Brazilian male knows Jiu Jitsu.

Therefore I'm banking on all three of them in the NBA being able to hold their own in a fight.

Nene in particular looks like he could inflict some pain on an opposing fighter.

4. Shaq: Boston Celtics

Ok, so he got slammed by Charles Barkley.

Still, the "Big Diesel" has the whole Shaq-Fu thing working for him.

Shaq would have to learn a lot in regards to improving his stand up and ground game. Still a guy as big as him is a formidable opponent due to his shear size and strength.

3. Ron Artest: Los Angeles Lakers

Ron Artest is a "crazy person," pretty sure everyone can agree on that one.

Artest has taken boxing lessons and seems like he might have one of those beyond human like pain thresh holds.

No one wants to fight a crazy guy, just ask Evander Holyfield. Be sure to speak into his good ear.

2. LeBron James: Miami Heat

LeBron James has never really shown his dark side.

For the most part, he has always been more of an entertainer who enjoys clowning around, dancing, playing with baby powder and practicing mime photography. Yet something makes you believe that if ever truly angered LeBron would be able to knock some people out.

2. (Tie) Ben Wallace

Ben Wallace is as tough as nails.

Ron Artest didn't have the marbles to go after Wallace and instead chose a 5'7" fan. That should show you that even "crazy people" don't mess with Ben Wallace.

1. Dwight Howard: Orlando Magic

This guy would be a monster of a heavyweight.

Dwight Howard has shoulders that could balance a cruise ship. On top of that, he is chiseled like a rock. His length, reach, quickness and power would make him a scary guy to have to square off with.

The NBA's new "Superman" may not be made of steel but he definitely looks that way. If Howard concentrated on becoming a fighter, he could hang.

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