James Harrison and 20 Athletes Who Should Take Up MMA
So let's expand this a little.
Not long ago, I threw out a list of other NFL legends who would've been great in mixed martial arts. I think I hit on most of them, and some of you all seemed to agree with my choices. James Harrison, Ray Lewis and Troy Polamalu were no-brainers.
Now here comes the challenge: Add in other sports.
As I said before, don't get caught up in what specialties fighters train in. Stick to the basics, and think about athletes who possess tremendous agility, strength, power, stamina and a little edge to them. With that in mind, I would think soccer players and hockey players could definitely qualify.
But who else? Well let's see. Here are 20 athletes who should take up MMA:
20. Carl Edwards
1 of 20
Now I can hear some of you already going, "Are you kidding me?" Then you'll write and tell me NASCAR isn't a sport. I'm not going to waste time on that debate, but I will point out it's common to see some drivers throwing punches after races.
As someone who likes to stay fit and exercise, I've read a few health magazines and I've got to say Edwards is cut and looks like he's got the physique to make a go of it in mixed martial arts.
19. John Cena
2 of 20
Long before he got into wrestling, Cena was an All-American football player at Division III Springfield College in Massachussetts.
Hey, Brock Lesnar's been incredibly successful since making the switch. Cena would at least be more charismatic.
18. Kenyon Martin
3 of 20
He's got the tats and the nastiness to get under the skin of plenty in the NBA. Something tells me he could take that gift into fighting as well.
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17. LeBron James
4 of 20
He's got freakish athleticism for a basketball player, but I wonder if he could keep his composure and perform under pressure where it's just up to him to win.
It would be interesting, too, to see what happens once he took a shot to the temple.
16. Blake Griffin
5 of 20
Griffin doesn't move like a lot of other big men in the NBA, and I think he's got the freakish build that would make him an interesting fighter. One other intangible in his favor: He's got ice in his veins. The guy never seems to lose his cool.
15. Juan Manuel Marquez
6 of 20
If it was just a stand-up fight and you had two fighters throwing bombs, I'd love to see how Marquez would do.
One other thing that would make him a worthy consideration is the fact that so many great Mexican fighters fight with heart and are hard-wired to endure severe punishment.
14. Manny Pacquiao
7 of 20
If it came to speed, stamina, agility and strength, I think Pacquiao could hold his own in mixed martial arts. I also wonder what would happen with going from 12 rounds to fighting three, five-minute rounds.
13. Adrian Gonzalez
8 of 20
When it comes to picking baseball players, you've got to at least start off with players with good size. Gonzalez (6'2'', 225 pounds) fits the description, and his mix of power and athleticism make him one of the best young players in baseball.
12. Carl Crawford
9 of 20
Gonzalez's new teammate in Boston also has a great build. At 6'2'', 215 pounds, Crawford's speed, athleticism and power are part of why he's considered one of baseball's true five-tool players.
11. Clint Dempsey
10 of 20
Soccer players are some of the most physically fit, tough athletes around. As one of the top players on the U.S. men's national team, Dempsey's got those traits, but also a nasty side that's found in his physical play and willingness to get rough when necessary.
10. Brad Richards
11 of 20
The Dallas Stars center has 21 goals and 38 assists on the year. Richards (6'0'', 195) has been around the NHL now for 10 years, and remained one of the game's top players.
To endure the grind and punishment that comes in hockey makes you worthy of being considered in this MMA discussion, if you ask me.
9. Daniel Sedin
12 of 20
Sedin (6'1'', 187), a left wing for the Vancouver Canucks, is currently second in the NHL in points with 69. He's one of the game's elite talents and one of the most entertaining players.
8. Jerome Iginla
13 of 20
The Calgary right wing (6'1'', 207) is both big, physical and moves with incredible speed and grace.
7. Troy Polamalu
14 of 20
When he gets in a rhythm and gets going, offenses can't stop him. He's physical, violent and goes at full throttle everytime he plays.
6. Thierry Henry
15 of 20
He's one of the top five best soccer players in the world, and has a blend of speed, creativity and power.
5. Stephen Jackson
16 of 20
Jackson is one of the NBA's most physical and aggressive players. He won't back down from a fight, either. In case you forgot, he was part of "The Brawl" in 2004.
4. Josh Hamilton
17 of 20
There are very few other big baseball players who have the same kind of speed and total talent that Hamilton (6'4'', 240) has.
3. Julius Peppers
18 of 20
The Chicago Bears defensive lineman moves like a wide receiver, and showed off his athletic ability back in college when he also played basketball for North Carolina.
2. James Harrison
19 of 20
Harrison loves to hit. I think he would almost be like a kid in the candystore if he got to throw down in mixed martial arts.
1. Ray Lewis
20 of 20
He's got the size, the overall physical ability and passion that would make him an incredibly gifted fighter in mixed martial arts.
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