Brock Lesnar and the Top 10 Sport-Switching Athletes

Despite being dominated by Cain Velasquez at UFC 121, Brock Lesnar is still one of the toughest UFC fighters in the history of the sport.

But, there was a sport Lesnar tried where he wasn't one of the best, far from it in fact.

Lesnar played in the 2004 preseason for the Minnesota Vikings, but was cut from the team before the season started.

So, where does he rank amongst famous athletes who have tried their hands at other sports?  Let's take a look at the top 10 sport-switching athletes.

10. Frank Thomas

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CHICAGO - JULY 20: Frank Thomas #35 of the Chicago White Sox takes a cut on the ball against the Detroit Tigers on July 20, 2005 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Tigers defeated the White Sox 8-6. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Frank Thomas actually was recruited to Auburn to play football.  The Big Hurt was a tight end for the Tigers before switching to baseball full-time.

And it was the right decision.  521 home runs later, I'm sure Thomas has no regrets about his decision to quit football.

9. Brian Jordan

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NEW YORK - APRIL 19: Brian Jordan #33 of the Atlanta Braves tosses the ball to first for an out against the New York Mets on April 19, 2006 at Shea Stadium in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.The Braves defeated the Mets 2

Though he made a name for himself playing baseball, Brian Jordan also had a brief NFL career as a defensive back for the Atlanta Falcons.

Jordan played from 1989-1991 and ended his career with five interceptions.

However, Jordan is most famous for playing baseball.  He was most notably a member of the St. Louis Cardinals' outfield from 1992-1998.

Jordan ended his MLB career with 184 home runs and 821 RBI.

8. Danny Ainge

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7 Jan 1993: Guard Danny Ainge of the Phoenix Suns moves the ball during a game. Mandatory Credit: Layne Murdoch /Allsport Mandatory Credit: Layne Murdoch /Allsport

Danny Ainge is best remembered as a sharp-shooter for a Boston Celtics team that won two championships in the mid-1980s.

But, Ainge also had a brief career at the major league level with the Toronto Blue Jays.  He played for parts of three seasons for the team from 1979-1981 before shifting his attention to basketball.

That ended up being a good call, since his career baseball numbers included a .220 average with two home runs and 37 RBI.

7. Tony Gwynn

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4 Oct 2001: Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres stands at bat against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Qualcomm Stadium. The Padres defeated the Dodgers 6-3. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Scott Halleran/ALLSPORT

Tony Gwynn was drafted by the San Diego Clippers of the NBA and the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball on the same day.

He chose the baseball route, and ended his career with a .338 average, over 3,000 hits, and more than 1,000 RBI.

Gwynn was a 15-time All-Star, won seven Silver Sluggers, and also had five Gold Gloves in his illustrious career.

Gwynn will forever be remembered as one of the best hitters ever to play the game of baseball.

6. Brock Lesnar

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 13: MMA fighter Brock Lesnar walks in the garage area during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Drive4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Brock Lesnar has dominated the UFC for several years now.

However, when he tried his hand at another physical sport, he didn't make the cut.

In 2004, Lesnar appeared in the NFL preseason with the Minnesota Vikings.  But, after the preseason ended, so did Lesnar's NFL career, as the Vikings had to let him go.

I guess he'll just have to stick to dominating one sport.

5. Michael Jordan

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19 May 1998: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls dunks the ball during a Eastern Conference Finals game against the Indiana Pacers at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Pacers 104- 98.

Michael Jordan was the best player in the history of the National Basketball Association.

Michael Jordan was not the best player in the history of Major League Baseball.

Jordan dominated his opponents on the basketball court, but he never made it to the Major Leagues in his short baseball career.

So, what did he do after his failure at baseball?  He came back to basketball and won three more championships.

4. Antonio Gates

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 24: Antonio Gates #85 of the San Diego Chargers runs after his catch against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on October 24, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Antonio Gates has been the best tight end in football this year.  If he keeps posting numbers like he has the past few years, he'll be a sure-fire Hall of Famer.

Back in college, Gates played basketball for Kent State.  But, when his basketball career fizzled out, he turned to football.

He's been making defenses wish he'd stuck to basketball ever since.

3. Tony Gonzalez

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Atlanta Falcons in action against the Philadelphia Eagles during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 17, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Speaking of tight ends who played college basketball, how about Tony Gonzalez?

Gonzalez is the best tight end in the history of the NFL.  He currently holds the career records for catches, yards, and touchdowns by a tight end.

Gonzalez is just one more success story of a multi-talented athlete who ultimately chose the right sport.

2. Deion Sanders

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6 May 2001: Deion Sanders #2 of the Cincinnati Reds at bat during the game against the San Diego Padres at Cinergy Field in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Padres defeated the Reds 8-2.Mandatory Credit: Mark Lyons /Allsport

Deion Sanders was one of the most electrifying players in NFL history.  His confidence and swagger were justifiable, as quarterbacks were afraid to throw anything to his side of the field.

"Prime Time" made his living by returning interceptions for touchdowns.

But, Sanders decided "Prime Time" needed to be seen by even more people, so he tried his hand at baseball too.

Sanders' best season in the Major Leagues came in 1992 with the Atlanta Braves.  In 97 games, he hit .304, stole 26 bases, and led the National League with 14 triples.

1. Bo Jackson

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LOS ANGELES - JANUARY 13: Running back Bo Jackson #34 of Los Angeles Raiders breaks free on the open field against the Cincinnati Bengals defense during the 1990 AFC Divisional Playoffs at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 13, 1991 in Los Ange

Bo Jackson not only played two sports, he excelled at two sports.

Jackson was the first athlete to be named to the All-Star Game in Major League Baseball and the Pro Bowl in the NFL.

Jackson's 229-yard rushing effort on Monday Night Football in 1987 is still an MNF record.

Had a hip injury not slowed down his career, Jackson would be an even bigger legend.