The 10 Best Athletes of All Time That Would Make Good UFC Fighters

Over the past several years, we have seen some of the greatest UFC fighters of all time. We have witnessed Chuck Liddell knockouts, Anderson Silva submissions and Georges St. Pierre's grueling five-round decisions. 

While UFC has unarguably become the center stage for producing fighters, other sports have played a role as well.

The exchanging of punches in the NBA, and MLB's bench-clearing brawls show that while these players are world-class athletes of their own respective sport, it doesn't mean they wouldn't be successful inside the Octagon.

The following is a ranking of 10 professional athletes who would make good UFC fighters if they put in the required training. Please sit back and enjoy.

10. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers

Full Name: Blake Austin Griffin

From: Oklahoma City, Okla.

Fights Out Of: Los Angeles

Height: 6'10"

Weight: 251 lbs.

Blake Griffin is a power forward for the Los Angeles Clippers. He is arguably the best overall athlete in the NBA. In 2011, Griffin was named Rookie of the Year and he won the slam dunk contest. He was also named to his first career All-Star Game and selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

While Griffin is best known for his all-around athletic ability, he is also very intimidating. Griffin would be a force inside the Octagon at 6-foot-10, and opponents would have trouble taking down his 251-pound body. Griffin ranks 10th on the power ranking.

9. CC Sabathia, New York Yankees

Full Name: Carsten Charles Sabathia

From: Vallejo, Calif.

Fights Out Of: New York City

Height: 6'7"

Weight: 290 lbs.

CC Sabathia is a starting pitcher for the New York Yankees. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 2001, before being shipped off to Milwaukee Brewers and then his current team, the Yankees. Sabathia is one of the best pitchers in the entire MLB and a World Series champion. Sabathia is also a five-time MLB All-Star and was the 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner.

While Sabathia is primarily known for being the Bronx's ace, his stature could go far beyond just a career in baseball. While Sabathia would be slower than most of his competition, his 6-foot-7, 290-pound body would be a force to be reckoned with. In any case, fighters would have a hard time taking him down or even meeting Sabathia's reach.

8. Milton Bradley Jr., Seattle Mariners

Full Name: Milton Obelle Bradley Jr.

From: Harbor City, Calif.

Fights Out Of: Seattle, Wash.

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 215 lbs.

Milton Bradley Jr. is a left fielder for the Seattle Mariners. Since 2001, Bradley has been with a whopping eight different teams. While Bradley is far from an elite MLB player, he was selected to the 2008 MLB All-Star Game. Bradley's baseball career has been sub-par thus far, but he shows many signs of a UFC fighter.

Bradley is most famous for breaking bats over his leg after striking out. He has also been popular for fighting with umpires, fans, opposing teams and even his own teammates. While Bradley is not the biggest guy in the MLB, he is certainly the scrappiest one. Bradley's heart and anger toward others could lead him to a successful career inside the Octagon.

7. Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs

Full Name: Carlos Alberto Zambrano

From: Puerto Cabello, Venezuela

Fights Out Of: Chicago

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 260 lbs.

Carlos Zambrano is a starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. Zambrano was drafted by the Cubs in 2001 and has been with them ever since. He has shown signs of greatness throughout the early part of his career, as he's been named to three different All-Star Games in 2004, 2006 and  2008. The Cubs ace has also won three Silver Slugger Awards as a pitcher.

While Zambrano has been successful this far in his career, he is also known for his meltdowns. These include frequently arguing with umpires, fighting with his own teammates, chucking bats and water coolers. Zambrano's stature at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds could be a force inside the cage. For his size, Zambrano is surprisingly quick.

6. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens

Full Name: Ray Anthony Lewis

From: Bartow, Fla.

Fights Out Of: Baltimore, Md.

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 250 lbs.

Ray Lewis is a linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens. He is known as one of the greatest linebackers to ever play the game. Lewis entered the NFL in 1996, when he was drafted by the Ravens in the first round.

Since then, Lewis has led the Ravens to victory in Super Bowl XXXV and was also named the game's MVP. He has been selected to the NFL Pro Bowl 12 different times and has been named All-Pro 10 times.

Many have questioned how Lewis would do inside the Octagon. Lewis's attitude is perfect for the UFC as he is mean and filled with heart and is a leader who never gives up. While Lewis continues, to age he would be a force inside the Octagon. His lower body strength would give many opponents problems.

5. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

Full Name: Dwight David Howard

From: Atlanta, Ga.

Fights Out Of: Orlando, Fla.

Height: 6'11"

Weight: 265 lbs.

Dwight Howard is the center for the Orlando Magic. Howard is unarguably the best center in the NBA and has been an absolute force since he arrived to the NBA in 2004. He was selected by the Magic with the first overall pick.

While Howard led the Magic to the NBA Finals, the team ultimately came up just short. The dominant center has been named to five NBA All-Star games and has won an Olympic gold medal in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics.

Howard has been placed to the All-NBA Team five times and the NBA All-Defensive Team four times. Howard's stature fits perfectly in terms of a UFC fighter. He's tall, very quick and in great shape and he has an unmatchable reach advantage.

While Howard has come across as all smiles since his arrival to the NBA, his technical fouls have shown he does have an aggressive side. Howard could easily be a force as a UFC fighter.

4. Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers

Full Name: Troy Aumua Polamalu

From: Garden Grove, Calif.

Fights Out Of: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 215 lbs.

Troy Polamalu is a strong safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Polamalu was drafted by the Steelers in the first round of the 2003 draft and is currently one of the best defensive backs in the NFL and has been named to six out of the last seven Pro Bowls.

He is also a three-time member of the NFL All-Pro Team and has led the Steelers to two championships in Super Bowls XL and XLIII.

While Polamalu has been one of the best players since his arrival to the NFL he has also been a victim of injury. Polamalu has missed over 20 games in the past five seasons. While injury may hold Polamalu back in the Octagon, his work ethic is untouchable.

According to sources, Polamalu trains in the highest elevated places in the United States, much like how many UFC fighters do. Polamalu's strength, quickness and take-down skills could lead him to a successful career in the UFC.

3. LeBron James, Miami Heat

Full Name: LeBron Raymone James

From: Akron, Ohio

Fights Out Of: Miami, Fla.

Height: 6'8"

Weight: 250 lbs.

LeBron James is a small forward for the Miami Heat. James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the very first pick in the 2003 NBA draft.

Since James arrived in the NBA, he has led the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals, falling short, however. James has been named to the NBA All-Star Game 7 times and the 1st All-NBA Team five times.

He is arguably the best overall player in the NBA and has been named MVP on two different occasions, in 2009 and 2010.

While James is famous for his world-class talents, he is even more popular for taking those talents to South Beach. James signed with the Miami Heat in 2010 and helped lead them to the NBA Finals, only to lose to the Dallas Mavericks.

James' body size, speed and strength already have had some talking about a future in the NFL. James' 6-foot-8, 250-pound build could also have many talk about his future in the UFC. His athletic ability could cause problems to his opponents inside the Octagon.

2. Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers

Full Name: William Clay Matthews III

From: Northridge, Calif.

Fights Out Of: Green Bay, Wisc.

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 255 lbs.

Clay Matthews is a linebacker for the Green Bay Packers. He was selected by the Packers as the 26th overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft.

Though Matthews has only been in the NFL for two seasons, he has already been named to two Pro Bowls and selected to the NFL All-Pro Team. Matthews has already led the Packers to a championship in Super Bowl XLV.

In just his second season, Matthews has already been awarded the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year. Surprisingly, he has also been an underdog despite his successful NFL career. He received hardly any Division I scholarships and walked on for the USC Trojans.

His teammates have described Matthews as one of the strongest and hardworking guys they've ever met. Matthews' speed is unbelievable for his statue at 6-foot-3, 255 pounds. A career in a UFC Octagon could be a success if he were to go that route.

1. Houston Texans: Andre Johnson

Full Name: Andre Lamont Johnson

From: Miami, Fla.

Fights Out Of: Houston, Texas

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 223 lbs.

Andre Johnson is a wide receiver for the Houston Texans. Johnson was selected by the Texans with the third overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft. Since Johnson joined the Texans' organization, he has been arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL.

Of Johnson's eight seasons, he has been elected to five Pro-Bowls and four NFL All-Pro selections. Johnson has also led the NFL in receiving twice and has been named NFL's Wide Receiver of the Year in 2006, 2008 and 2009.

While Johnson has established his name as an elite NFL player, he has also become very popular for his fighting debut with cornerback Cortland Finnegan last season. Johnson threw Finnegan to the ground like a rag doll and landed three blows to the head.

To Finnegan's advantage, the referees and other players broke up the fight before Finnegan could be knocked out cold. Johnson showed signs of a fighter and ranked first in these power rankings.