Can we finally put an end to this “NFL/NBA players would dominate UFC if they trained” nonsense?

[PlasticFishBowl]

Cyril Gane started his MMA career after Greg Hardy.

That’s right, NFL pro bowler Greg Hardy has trained for MMA longer (and with a better team by far) than Gane. Yet Gane would absolutely smoke him because he’s just way faster, way more fit, and way more skilled.

Americans be like: Impossible! Gane is a French cupcake! Hardy played football! That means he’s the best athlete and can beat everyone else!

Just face it guys. There are people out there that are significantly more athletic than even NFL and NBA stars. And lots of them are randoms dudes like Gane was 3 years ago. Dudes you’d have never even heard of.

Even if LeBron or JJ Watt trained for MMA from the time they were 18, there would be some no name guy out there who would flatline them in the UFC.

 

[weaselkenievil]

I’m happy to stop that debate. It’s nonsense. And while we’re at it, no your favourite movie star couldn’t compete in MMA either.

 

[Orochimaru 大蛇丸]

There are guys in the NFL and NBA who would probably destroy everyone, but most of them wouldn't. Most guys don't have the mentality to fight, and I think people forget that people in the NFL or NBA has been playing their sport their entire lives, as much as athleticism matters, these are skill sports that require years of experience to be elite at, and if you start too late it gets very hard, same as fighting.

 

[Xandros476]

A sample size of one hardly yields conclusive evidence one way or the other…

 

[CatchnShoot]

If there are any D1 Wrestlers that are currently in the NFL, they would litter the cage with the corpses of their enemies.

 

[No Skill Gap]

Well first of all wasn't Gane an accomplished kickboxer/striker prior to MMA?

Secondly, athleticism is one thing and NBA/NFL athletes on average are clearly light years ahead of MMA athletes. So it does matter. But that's only one piece of the pie and it's totally disregarding all the intangibles and measurables that go into fighting like:

- Heart, Will power, toughness
- Cardio
- all the specific traits for striking and grappling (think Khabib or Izzy excel at that aren't necessarily focused on in other sports)

I also think Hardy is probably( (potentially!) blasting less than he was in the NFL, a bit washed, and clearly he's a good athlete for MMA but has rudimentary striking/grappling and horrible cardio pretty much.

 

[HOV]

No

 

[Yoyrface8me]

I’m happy to stop that debate. It’s nonsense. And while we’re at it, no your favourite movie star couldn’t compete in MMA either.

Lies,

 

[Goatenstein]

Cyril Gane started his MMA career after Greg Hardy.

That’s right, NFL pro bowler Greg Hardy has trained for MMA longer (and with a better team by far) than Gane. Yet Gane would absolutely smoke him because he’s just way faster, way more fit, and way more skilled.

Americans be like: Impossible! Gane is a French cupcake! Hardy played football! That means he’s the best athlete and can beat everyone else!

Just face it guys. There are people out there that are significantly more athletic than even NFL and NBA stars. And lots of them are randoms dudes like Gane was 3 years ago. Dudes you’d have never even heard of.

Even if LeBron or JJ Watt trained for MMA from the time they were 18, there would be some no name guy out there who would flatline them in the UFC.

Somebody is insecure about what would happen if A-level athletes chose MMA.

 

[RemyR]

I’m happy to stop that debate. It’s nonsense. And while we’re at it, no your favourite movie star couldn’t compete in MMA either.

 

[D'z]

That debate was always wrong anyway. The best athletes on earth are gymnasts.

 

[EnthusiastCultivator]

Soccer players are way more athletic than these NFL guys, most of them are fat and wouldn’t stand a chance in a sprint against any of the soccer guys imo. They’d probably gas very fast too in a cage fight.

Look at Dominick Reyes, the guy only got so far with a football background, at the top of the game, skill and mental strength matter more than athleticism although if you have all you got the golden ticket.

 

[Eric Silva 2.0]

Cyril Gane started his MMA career after Greg Hardy.

That’s right, NFL pro bowler Greg Hardy has trained for MMA longer (and with a better team by far) than Gane. Yet Gane would absolutely smoke him because he’s just way faster, way more fit, and way more skilled.

Americans be like: Impossible! Gane is a French cupcake! Hardy played football! That means he’s the best athlete and can beat everyone else!

Just face it guys. There are people out there that are significantly more athletic than even NFL and NBA stars. And lots of them are randoms dudes like Gane was 3 years ago. Dudes you’d have never even heard of.

Even if LeBron or JJ Watt trained for MMA from the time they were 18, there would be some no name guy out there who would flatline them in the UFC.

Let's add that according to some yo-yo's on here Greg Hardy is super alpha since he is violent towards women. The dude studying physics with glasses on just might be your worst nightmare. Think Ryan Hall or Rich Franklin.

 

[CerebralKnievel]

That debate was always wrong anyway. The best athletes on earth are gymnasts.

I agree with this. Gymnasts are insane.

 

[Ingjr]

Check out the fitness of some of the top motocross stars. Unbelievable.

 

[Orochimaru 大蛇丸]

Soccer players are way more athletic than these NFL guys, most of them are fat and wouldn’t stand a chance in a sprint against any of the soccer guys imo. They’d probably gas very fast too in a cage fight.

Look at Dominick Reyes, the guy only got so far with a football background, at the top of the game, skill and mental strength matter more than athleticism although if you have all you got the golden ticket.

Uhhh nah, Dominick Reyes was a nothing as a football player. I don't know that much about soccer, but I would be surprised if they were running faster 40's than NFL guys. NFL and NBA are the elite of the elite.

 

[Johnnny]

Cyril Gane wasn't a "random dude" 3 years ago. He had years of Muay Thai training and was 13-0 as a professional kickboxer, including a win over Yassine Boughanem (currently ranked Top 5 in the world at super heavyweight).

 

[RollSonnenRoll]

If there are any D1 Wrestlers that are currently in the NFL, they would litter the cage with the corpses of their enemies.

Stephen Neal for GOAT. He was one of the top collegiate wrestlers in the country. He beat Brock in 1999. He never played college football but still made the Patriots roster. He was a 10 year starter and significant contributor on the line for the beginning of the Brady dynasty.

 

[Domitian]

Cyril Gane started his MMA career after Greg Hardy.

That’s right, NFL pro bowler Greg Hardy has trained for MMA longer (and with a better team by far) than Gane. Yet Gane would absolutely smoke him because he’s just way faster, way more fit, and way more skilled.

Americans be like: Impossible! Gane is a French cupcake! Hardy played football! That means he’s the best athlete and can beat everyone else!

Just face it guys. There are people out there that are significantly more athletic than even NFL and NBA stars. And lots of them are randoms dudes like Gane was 3 years ago. Dudes you’d have never even heard of.

Even if LeBron or JJ Watt trained for MMA from the time they were 18, there would be some no name guy out there who would flatline them in the UFC.

 

[No Skill Gap]

A sample size of one hardly yields conclusive evidence one way or the other…

Yeah and I'd say the evidence is the opposite of what TS is suggesting with Hardy. Let's look at all the superior athletes in MMA:

Lesnar, GSP, Cejudo, Cormier, Jones, probably toss in Ngannou,

Soccer players are way more athletic than these NFL guys, most of them are fat and wouldn’t stand a chance in a sprint against any of the soccer guys imo. They’d probably gas very fast too in a cage fight.

Look at Dominick Reyes, the guy only got so far with a football background, at the top of the game, skill and mental strength matter more than athleticism although if you have all you got the golden ticket.

lol

Dominick Reyes was a HS football player, maybe he played like JUCO or D3. Soccer players are not better athletes, the sport doesn't rely on athleticism nearly as much as NFL/NBA do.

I really do hate when euro guys just jerk off about soccer even though it's clearly far more of a skill sport in general. There's plenty of good to great athletes in soccer, but no it's not even close to the NFL or NBA on average.

"Most NFL guys are fat! they'd gas!" Okay so no one is allowed to hypothetically train for MMA? Every soccer guy, who I agree has better long-pace cardio in general, would be gassing out too if they did MMA. They stand around or jog or brisk walk most of the time, they aren't grappling a striking and going at a pace of 5 min rounds with nearly constant action.

The Reyes comp is like comparing to a shitty MLS player.