Tiger Woods and 10 Golfers Who'd Be Amazing MMA Fighters
Have you ever been sitting in front of your 60-inch flat screen HD TV watching a beautiful round of golf being played on a perfectly lush course and think to yourself, "I wonder which one of these guys could hold their own in the octagon?"
Well surprisingly, I have. It could be the contrast between the gentleman's sport of golf and the cut throat world of MMA or maybe there's just something wrong with me, but I frequently find myself wondering which one of these khaki pant athletes could hold their own in the ring.
We know many athletes can or at least try to golf, but I can't remember the last time I saw Arnold Palmer subdue someone in a Kimura (that would be awesome).
They say there are parallel universes or alternate realities, that know no bounds. So let's view this slideshow as an alternate universe where the likes of Tiger Woods, John Daley and Phil Mickelson left behind the world of sand traps and drivers for hand wraps and superman punches.
10. John Daly a.k.a Roy "Big Country" Nelson
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I'm not quite sure if this slide shows a picture of John Daly being "John Daly" or if it's UFC heavyweight Roy Nelson trying his hand at golf, but either way, it works.
If John Daly ever entered the UFC he'd have some heavy competition for the organization's "Highest Body Fat Percentage" award and the right to use Weird Al Yanovich's I'm Fat as a octagon entrance, from Roy "Big Country" Nelson.
While Daley might smoke too much and drink just a tad bit much, his big belly would actually be a major advantage, at least to UFC commentator Joe Rogan.
Rogan, during UFC 130, stated that heavyweight Roy Nelson's fat actually made it harder for his opponents to grip him and effectively take him down.
Well if this is true, Daly's already got a major leg up.
9. Jack Nickolaus a.k.a Royce Gracie
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Who am I to say the Golden Bear couldn't accomplish something.
While he doesn't look it now, a young Jack Nickolaus, just look at that scowl, looked better suited for the octagon than the country clubs and golf courses.
Standing 5'11" and at a playing weight of 190, I could see Nickolaus fitting in very well at the 180-pound limit welterweight division.
Fighting the likes of George St. Pierre and Jon Fitch, Palmer would have to use his legendary accuracy and brain to outperform his opponents.
Not wanting to doubt a sporting legend, I could only compare Nickolaus to one of MMA's finest, Royce Gracie.
8. Bubba Watson a.k.a Brock Lesnar
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While one, I wouldn't want to see in a dark alley and the other, looks like the guy who would help your grandma cross the street, Bubba Watson and Brock Lesnar share one thing in common: Power.
Averaging a career driving distance of 313.65, Bubba Watson has been destroying golf tees, like this one, ever since his PGA debut of 2006.
While Lesnar's power is a bit more devastating to the eye, Watson could use his knack for the long ball nicely if he were ever to step in the octagon.
But before Dana White would ever admit Watson into the UFC, he'd have to shave those pretty boy locks.
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7. Ernie Els a.k.a Randy Couture
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You know that guy who just never seems to go away? Well I know a couple.
Since 1989, Ernie Els has been touring the PGA circuit. That endurance and longevity reminds me of a certain UFC hall of famer.
Randy Couture has been bashing in heads and forcing others to submit to him since 1997. Neither Couture or Els shows any signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Standing 6'3" and 220 pounds maybe we could see the heavyweight showdown between "Mr. America" and "The Big Easy." I gotta say I'm not a big fan of either nickname.
6. Dustin Johnson a.k.a Stefan Struve
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Dustin Johnson and Stefan Struve share more then just their large height.
While both are rising stars the two giants have shown the tendency to collapse, epically.
The 6'4" Johnson, had the 2010 U.S Open all but wrapped up, until his final day 82, which included a triple bogey on No. 2, a double at the third and a bogey at four and seven, showing the young Johnson's tendancy to collapse.
Collapsing, literally, is not an advised thing to do in MMA. Here,here and here are prime examples of the 6'11" Struve crumbling to the ground.
While Dustin Johnson could use his reach and length in his bouts, he'd better fix that collapsing thing quick.
5. Phil Mickelson a.k.a Chris Leben
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If Phil Mickelson was an MMA fighter he'd wear tattoos, die his hair red and be an UFC fan favorite. Kind of like Chris Leben.
While Leben and Mickelson look nothing alike, their act and think later attitudes make for great golf performances and blood and gut wars, in the octagon.
Mickelson's a much more naturally talented golfer than Chris Leben could ever dream of being, and if Mickelson were able to transfer that natural talent, into the octagon, we would have a potential great mixed martial artist.
4. Rory McIlroy a.k.a Jon "Bones" Jones
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Young, brash and talented.
Those three words best describe Rory McIlory and UFC light heavyweight champion Jon "Bones" Jones.
While McIlroy has yet to win a major, he has shown himself to be a force that will have to be reckoned with for years to come. Even more impressive have been the shots Mcillory has dealt out to legends of the sport, including Tiger Woods.
"Bones" Jones showed no regard for the growing pains of an expected MMA champion. Rasing through the division Jones seems to be in line to dominate the sport.
In the octagon I can see McIlory using his 'fro to his advantage, blinding his opponents with his curly locks.
3. Vijay Singh a.k.a Lyoto Machida
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I've got to admit, this comparison has nothing to do with how they perform in their respective sports, rather it has to do with their personalities or lack of it.
There something about Vijay Singh and Lyoto Machida, that just turns me off. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot going on up there, with either guy.
Singh could use his calm demeanor to his advantage as it's of utmost importance to stay composed in the octagon.
Just don't ask me to watch.
2. Ricky Barnes a.k.a George Saint-Pierre
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Ricky Barnes has yet to become an elite golfer and probably never will but may have made for a pretty good MMA fighter.
Barnes played three years of high school football and claimed to, while not being good enough to make a career out of football, had options for after high school. Barnes father was a punter for the New England Patriots.
Just by the fact that Barnes was able to play three years of high school tight end means he had some athletic ability, more than you can say for most of the people on this list, and usually football players make for pretty solid mix martial artists.
1. Tiger Woods a.k.a Anderson Silva
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At one point, Tiger Woods was the most dominate player in his sport. Those days are long and gone.
Maybe Tiger should look for a new sport to play as he's yet to win an event since the infamous "Cheat-on wife-Gate" he suffered. If Tiger did decide to look for a new sport, I think he could be an UFC star.
Tiger's height and strength seem to be attribtues that would cross over very well into MMA. More importantly, Tiger's ability to dodge his wife's golf club swings are very similar to the sleek defensive skills of Anderson Silva.
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