Greatest Combat Sports Athlete
Who is the greatest combat sports athlete ever? Not everyone will agree - there have been some great ones over the years. It is sometimes difficult to compare players from different eras, as they never get to compete head to head, under the same conditions - but we are going to do it anyway.
See the similar discussion about the greatest boxer ever.
In a poll on ESPN Sport Science conducted in 2012 looked at the Greatest Combat Sports Athlete of All Time - comparing a range of wrestlers and mixed martial arts masters. The voting was based on the best athlete (not skill) who has a combination of strength, speed, endurance, quickness, durability and the other attributes that make an athlete elite. See more about the ESPN Sport Science poll to determine the Greatest Athlete of All Time.
Nominees
Who is the greatest Combat Athlete of all time?
- Dan Gable — had a 118-1 collegiate wrestling record and won the 1972 Olympic gold without conceding a point.
- Aleksandr Karelin — wrestler who went undefeated for 13 years (didn't allow a point in six of those years!). He was nine-time world champion wrestler, three-time Olympic gold medalist (+ 1 silver).
- Jon Jones — 17-1 career UFC record, four-time defending light heavyweight champ.
- Anderson Silva — record 10 successful UFC title defenses, 33-4-0 career record, 20 wins by KO.
- Royce Gracie — First inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame. 14-2-3 career record, 12 wins by submission.
And the winner is ...
Anderson Silva, who won the combat category vote with 43 percent.
Related Pages
- Greatest Boxer Athlete of All Time
- The ESPN Sport Science poll to determine the Greatest Athlete of All Time.
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
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