The history of the world’s most popular martial arts – mixed martial arts and boxing – are inexorably linked. While both can trace their roots back to the Olympic Games of ancient Greece, MMA’s modern history is due to boxing.
After all, in the first televised mixed-rules bout, “Judo” Gene LeBell took on boxer Milo Savage in 1963 in an early attempt to answer the question of whether a good grappler could beat a good boxer.
And Savage’s exploits soon convinced other boxers to enter proto-MMA, with Muhammad Ali infamously facing Japanese pro-wrestling icon Antonio Inoki in a 15-round mixed-rules bout in 1976.
However, as MMA has evolved into a legitimate sport in its own right these days, it’s become much more common to see fighters transition to the sweet science rather than the other way around.
Conor McGregor set himself up for life as he put in an admirable performance in the 2017 defeat to Floyd Mayweather, but not all fighters have come away from their forays into boxing with such happy memories.
Former UFC star Nate Diaz (pictured) prepares for his boxing debut on Saturday night when he takes on influencer turned boxer Jake Paul
Conor McGregor – 0-1
Regardless of your opinion of the martial arts crossover era it spawned, it’s hard to rate Conor McGregor’s sole outing as a professional boxer as anything other than an unqualified success.
In just over three years in the UFC, McGregor went from being an acclaimed but relatively unknown contender to becoming the first simultaneous two-weight world champion with popularity that transcends the sport as a whole.
While there is debate whether Mayweather deliberately carried the Irishman into the later rounds when they fought, there’s no denying that McGregor’s performance exceeded the expectations of many and earned him a place as one of the world’s most recognizable athletes.
Conor McGregor is just one of many MMA fighters transitioning to professional boxing
The Irishman reached the tenth round before being stopped by Mayweather in 2017
Anderson Silva-3-2
Arguably the greatest striker ever to compete in MMA, in his prime Anderson Silva was a force of nature; able to expose how rudimentary many of his opponents were on their feet.
Prior to signing with the UFC in 2006, Silva had competed in a few boxing matches in his native Brazil before putting his boxing career on hold as he began his legendary run in the Octagon.
Although he suffered an embarrassing exit from the promotion, Silva would find success returning to his first love, defeating former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and fellow MMA veteran Tito Ortiz before dropping a decision against Jake Paul last year traps.
Anderson Silva (right) has a solid background in boxing, even beating former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Israel Adesanya 5-1
Like his spiritual predecessor in the UFC’s middleweight division, Israel Adesanya combined his early MMA career with several forays into the squared circle.
Unlike some of his contemporaries on this list, the UFC middleweight champion fought against complete opposition from the start of his boxing career, losing a decision to 38-fight veteran Daniel Ammann in his pro debut.
Over the next twelve months, Adesanya would fight five more times, winning twice in one-night Super 8 Boxing boxing tournaments in the cruiserweight division before turning his attention back to kickboxing and MMA.
Israel Adesanya won two one-night tournaments as a boxer before returning to kickboxing
Francis Ngannou – 0-0
Like McGregor, Francis Ngannou will make his first foray into professional boxing – while in the prime of his MMA career – against an elite opponent when he faces Tyson Fury in October.
However, unlike McGregor, Ngannou has ventured into the sweet science without the blessing of the UFC and with a considerably more mixed reaction to the news from the general public.
If any fighter in MMA history possessed the kind of power it takes to topple an elite heavyweight, it would be Ngannou. However, due to the huge difference in skills and boxing experience, his crossing into boxing is unlikely to be successful, although very lucrative.
Francis Ngannou will face WBC champion Tyson Fury in the ring later this year
Tom Aspinall – 1-0
After a successful return to the Octagon last month, Tom Aspinall is enjoying a wave of momentum that has put him forward as a potential contender for Jon Jones’ heavyweight crown.
However, in 2017 Aspinall found himself struggling to get fights on the UK regional circuit and briefly embarked on a career in boxing.
Aspinall trained alongside Tyson Fury and entered the ring that year for his only, and so far only, professional boxing match, comfortably defeating Hungarian journeyman Tamas Bajzath via knockout in the first round.
Tom Aspinall trained alongside Fury and made a successful solitary foray into boxing in 2017
Tyron Woodley-0-2
After Ben Askren became the first MMA fighter to be defeated by Jake Paul, his teammate Tyron Woodley was called up in August 2021 to face the ‘Problem Child’.
The former UFC welterweight champion proved to be a more difficult opponent for Paul, but ultimately suffered a gun shyness that plagued his later career in the Octagon en route to a decision defeat.
Woodley would get a chance at redemption that same year against Paul as a late replacement, but this time he would be on the receiving end of a brutal sixth-round knockout.
Tyron Woodley suffered consecutive defeats, in the boxing ring, against Jake Paul in 2021
Kimbo slice – 7-0
Kimbo Slice, an early star of the internet for his success in street fight videos, instantly became a must-watch TV during his transition to MMA in 2007.
After competing in the first MMA event to be shown on prime time network television in the US, Slice would begin a brief run in the UFC through The Ultimate Fighter, but was released by the promotion in 2010.
Over the next few years, Slice would go on to make a total of seven professional boxing appearances, winning all of his fights against low opposition before returning to MMA to sign with Bellator in 2015 before dying prematurely the following year.
Kimbo Slice embarked on an undefeated run in the ring between 2011 and 2013
Michael ‘Venom’ Page – 2-0
Michael Page, one of the most skilled fighters to ever compete in the UFC, has nevertheless turned his point kickboxing skills into a successful career in professional martial arts.
After scoring some of the most unique KO’s in MMA history during his time with Bellator, Page announced that he would be moving to the ring in 2017 after signing with former heavyweight champion David Haye.
A few fights under the Hayemaker Ringstar banner followed, with MVP drawing criticism from boxing analysts for showboating wins against opponents significantly below his skill level.
Bellator star Michael Page signed with David Haye and won both of his fights in boxing
Clay Collard – 9-6-3
While most of his contemporaries on this list dabbled in boxing before committing to MMA, or transitioning for a high-profile crossover fight, Clay Collard was in need of some quick cash and turned it into a checkered career in the ring.
After winning just one of his first 5 fights, Collard developed a habit of upsetting prospects in later outings, beating the formerly 9-0 Quashawn Toler, 5-0 Raymond Guajardo and 6-0 David Kaminsky in consecutive battles in 2020.
Collard has since returned to pursuing MMA as his priority, most recently qualifying for the PFL lightweight playoffs, where he will face fellow UFC veteran Shane Burgos later this month for a place in the promotion finals with $1 million at stake.
Clay Collard had several in-ring victories before returning to MMA full-time
Nate Diaz – 0-0
While long admired for his boxing skills within MMA, Saturday’s showdown with Jake Paul marks Nate Diaz’s first outing as a professional boxer.
The combination of punches, seemingly endless cardio and ability to absorb punishment has seen the Stockton native take down several top names in the UFC, including Conor McGregor. He hopes those skills carry over to the boxing ring when he takes on Paul in the event. broadcast on DAZN on Saturday nights.
While Nate has not competed in boxing, brother Nick Diaz did make a foray into the sport in 2005, defeating Alfonso Rocha before returning to the UFC.
Nate Diaz will try to become the first MMA fighter to beat Jake Paul when he faces him on Saturday night