Google defines athleticism as the physical qualities that are characteristic of athletes, such as strength, fitness, and agility but perhaps there is more to it than that.
Athleticism is genetic, God given if you will. It is something you can’t teach, nor develop on your own. You either have it or you don’t.
Freak athletes are a rare thing and are able to do things that normal people simply cannot do. In MMA, these freaks are even rarer as other sports like football or basketball offer greater financial benefit and also don’t involve getting punched in the face for a living.
Though many of these ‘freak athletes’ got into the game a little too late, almost all of them were still able to find success, of varying degrees, thanks to their high-level athleticism.
5.) Brock Lesnar might be the freakiest athlete of all time to ever compete in the UFC. Just take a look at some of his NFL combine numbers.
And not only did Lesnar play in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings (albeit briefly) but as an amateur wrestler, he was a NCAA Division I All-American (1999, 2000) and NCAA Division I Heavyweight Champion (2000).
Not only that but there is an argument to be made that Lesnar is one of the greatest UFC heavyweight champions of all time as he currently shares the record for the most title defenses (2).
4. Kevin Randleman was an incredibly athletic specimen of a man who was one of the most dangerous guys in the early days.
Like Lesnar, Randleman was a freak college wrestler who transitioned to MMA and eventually won the UFC heavyweight before going over to Pride where he KNOCKED OUT CRO COP!
Then, in his subsequent fight slammed the greatest heavyweight ever, Fedor Emelianenko, right on his head.
3. Yoel Romero is another freak wrestler who may be one of the greatest athletes to ever compete in MMA.
As a wrestler, he beat all-time great Cael Sanderson not once, but twice. He’s an example of a guy who may have got into MMA a little too late as he was busy taking the world on in wrestling.
Still, though, he is a top ranked middleweight fighter who’s had some great wins so far in his career.
2. Charles ‘Krazy Horse’ Bennett is, unfortunately, an example of what might have been.
Despite being only 5’5 tall, he was still a freak athlete and a talented football player in high school where he played running back, linebacker, and was even a defensive lineman which is rare for someone of his stature.
Living up to his nickname, legal troubles always followed Krazyhorse around but he was still able to get some huge wins in his MMA career, like when he knocked out KJ Noons or finished Gerald Strebendt, despite a lackadaisical approach to training, and thanks to his athleticism.
1. Herschel Walker is perhaps the freakiest freak of all freak athletes to have ever stepped foot in an MMA cage or ring.
He is best known for his decorated collegiate and professional football career, but he was also an Olympic bobsledder as well as a standout sprinter in high school, which is both a testament to his well-rounded athleticism.
Walker is an example of a guy who got into MMA a little too late, having his first pro fight at age 48. Still, though, it is scary to imagine what a guy like Herschel Walker could do in MMA if he got his start as a young man.
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His final MMA record in 2-0, both wins coming by way of knockout.
