Mixed Martial Arts and boxing are two combat sports with different skill sets, strategies, and techniques. While some fighters excel in both sports, many focus on one discipline over the other. Over the years, several UFC fighters have transitioned to boxing. Be it after retirement to pursue a new challenge or extend their fighting career.
Clay Collard
“Cassius” Clay Collard is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in the UFC and professional boxing. He was born on December 27, 1992, in Cache Valley, Utah, USA. Collard made his UFC debut in 2014 and had eight fights with the promotion.
He had a record of 1 win and 3 losses with the UFC. During his career, he faced some of the best fighters in the featherweight and lightweight divisions, including Max Holloway, Alex White, and Tiago Trator. Although Collard didn’t have a remarkably successful career in the UFC, he was known for his exciting fighting style, and his bouts were always entertaining.
After leaving the UFC, Collard turned his attention to professional boxing. In 2017, Collard made his professional debut. He won his first fight, held victories over previously undefeated prospects such as David Kaminsky and Quashawn Toler, and quickly became a rising star.
Collard’s success in boxing is mainly due to his unorthodox style, which combines his MMA skills with his natural boxing ability. He has a record of 9-6-3 in professional boxing. He has become a fan favorite for his exciting fights and willingness to take on tough opponents.
He has had an exciting career in combat sports, competing at a high level in MMA and boxing. His success in boxing after leaving the UFC has been impressive and earned him much respect from fans and fellow fighters.
James Vick
Vick is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC. He began his professional career in 2011 and amassed a record of 13 wins and 6 losses while competing in the lightweight and welterweight divisions.
Vick was known for his height and reach advantage and his striking skills, which helped him earn a reputation as a dangerous opponent. After retiring from the UFC in 2019, James Vick made a surprising decision to transition to professional boxing.
In an interview, he revealed that he had always been interested in boxing and felt it was a natural next step for his combat sports career. Vick made his professional boxing debut on March 6, 2010, against an opponent named Salvador Roa.
Though he lost his debut via majority decision, he re-entered professional boxing in 2022 after he retired from MMA. Where Vick showcased his improved boxing skills and athleticism. He now holds a record in professional boxing with 2 wins and 2 losses.
Vick continued his boxing career with another win against Simon Alejandro Heredia Cortes in his second boxing bout. However, he suffered a setback in his next fight against Rodrigo Octavio Gonzalez, losing by a majority decision in the 4th round. Despite the loss, Vick remained determined to continue his boxing career and sought opportunities to fight at a higher level.
Anderson Silva
Silva is a Brazilian mixed martial artist widely regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters ever. He was a longtime dominant champion in the UFC. He held the middleweight title for nearly seven years, with ten successful title defenses.
Silva was known for his striking skills, particularly his precise and devastating kicks, as well as his agility and unpredictable movement. After a legendary career in the UFC, Silva announced his retirement from mixed martial arts in 2020.
He racked up an impressive record of 34 wins and 11 losses with 1 no-contest. However, Silva did not hang up his gloves completely. In 2021, Silva announced that he would return to professional boxing. Silva made his professional boxing debut when he faced Osmar Luiz Teixeira in 1998, where he lost via corner retirement.
Upon returning to boxing after his UFC retirement, he was set to face Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Julio is a former WBC middleweight champion. Despite being the underdog, Silva shocked the boxing world by defeating Chavez Jr. twice by KO, followed by a split decision win in the rematch.
Silva’s impressive performance in the ring was attributed to his extensive striking experience in mixed martial arts, which he effectively transferred to the boxing ring. Following his win against Chavez Jr and Tito Ortiz., Silva signed a multi-fight deal with the boxing promotion company Triller Fight Club.
In 2022, Silva faced Youtuber Jake Paul in a boxing match. Unfortunately, the 47-year-old struggled to match the younger fighter and lost via unanimous decision. Silva’s success in boxing has been a testament to his versatility as a combat sports athlete and his ability to adapt to different fighting styles and promotions.
Tim Hague
Hague was a Canadian mixed martial artist who had a successful career in the UFC before transitioning to professional boxing. Hague began his professional MMA career in 2006 and made his UFC debut in 2009. He amassed an MMA record of 21 wins and 13 losses.
After his exit from the UFC, Hague decided to pursue a career in professional boxing. He made his boxing debut in 2011 and won his first fight via knockout against Patrick Graham. Hague continued to box throughout his MMA career and had 4 professional boxing fights. He amassed a record of 1 win and 3 losses in his boxing career.
Hague’s pro boxing career was not without controversy. In 2017, he suffered a devastating knockout loss in a boxing match against Adam Braidwood. Hague was hospitalized with a brain injury and tragically passed away two days later. The incident sparked a conversation about fighter safety in combat sports. It led to changes in Alberta’s regulations and protocols surrounding combat sports.
Vitor Belfort
Belfort is a Brazilian mixed martial artist known for his explosive striking abilities and dynamic fighting style. He is a former UFC light heavyweight champion who competed in multiple weight classes. Belfort was known for his quick, powerful punches and devastating knockout power.
After a successful career in the UFC, Belfort announced his retirement from mixed martial arts in 2018. His record stands at an impressive 26 wins and 14 losses. However, he continued his combat sports career by returning to professional boxing against Ronaldo Souza in 2023, winning unanimously. Vitor’s official record in professional boxing is 2 wins with no losses.
Belfort fought in an exhibition, facing former boxing world champion Evander Holyfield. The fight ended in a win after Belfort landed a series of punches that caused Holyfield to stumble, and the referee stopped the fight.
Belfort’s transition to boxing has been met with mixed reviews, with some praising his success in the sport. In contrast, others criticize his opponents and the quality of his opponents. Despite this, Belfort’s power and explosiveness have made him a formidable force in the boxing ring. He continues to pursue new challenges and opportunities in combat sports.
Anthony Pettis
Pettis is a former UFC lightweight champion known for his dynamic and creative fighting style. Pettis is a skilled striker with a background in Taekwondo and kickboxing, and he is also known for his submission skills. During his UFC career, Pettis defeated top-ranked fighters and earned multiple Fight of the Night titles and Performance of the Night bonuses.
After leaving the UFC, Pettis made his professional boxing debut in August 2021, facing off against boxing legend Roy Jones Jr., who has held multiple world championships in four weight classes. Despite being a significant underdog, Pettis performed well in the early rounds, winning by a majority decision.
Pettis’ transition to boxing has been met with mixed reactions, with some questioning his ability to compete at the highest level. However, Pettis has expressed a desire to continue his boxing career and has been training with well-respected boxing coaches to improve his skills.
Pettis’ move to boxing is not uncommon, as many MMA fighters have transitioned to boxing in recent years. Despite the challenges of mastering a new combat sport, Pettis’ versatility and experience in combat sports have given him a solid foundation to build upon in the boxing ring.
Mark Hunt
Hunt is a retired mixed martial artist from New Zealand who competed in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Hunt is known for his incredible punching power, iron chin, and unique fighting style, which combines kickboxing and boxing techniques.
Hunt made a name for himself as a highly entertaining knockout artist during his career in the UFC. His record consists of 13 wins and 14 losses with 1 draw. Out of his 13 victories, 10 came by way of knockout. After a long and successful career in mixed martial arts, Hunt announced his retirement in 2019. However, he continued his combat sports career by returning to professional boxing.
Hunt made his professional boxing debut in 1998 when he lost against John Wyborn via points. He fought again in 2000, where he drew against Joe Askew. After a hiatus of 20 years, Hunt returned to boxing once again following his retirement from MMA.
His most notable fight was facing former rugby league player Sonny Bill Williams in Australia. Despite being a significant underdog, Hunt performed well and landed several big shots throughout the fight. He ultimately won the bout by TKO.
Hunt’s move to professional boxing has been met with mixed reactions, with some questioning his ability to compete at the highest level. His professional boxing record stands at 1 win, 2 losses, and 1 draw. However, Hunt’s punching power and experience in combat sports make him a formidable opponent in the ring. He continues to pursue new challenges and opportunities in boxing, demonstrating his versatility as a combat sports athlete in several organizations.
Jose Aldo
Aldo is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who had a successful career in the UFC and is widely considered one of the greatest featherweight fighters ever. He made his UFC debut in 2011 and held the featherweight championship for over two years, defending it seven times before losing the title in 2015. His record is impressive in MMA, with 31 wins and 8 losses.
Aldo remains under contract with the UFC but was granted permission to pursue opportunities in other sports. He made his professional boxing debut in 2023 against Jeremy Stephans. They had previously faced off in the UFC in 2018, where Aldo defeated Stephens via TKO.
They both showcased impressive skills and power in the ring. The bout was declared a majority draw, showcasing the technical boxing proficiency of both fighters.
Aldo’s transition to professional boxing has been seen as a bold move. Still, he has approached it with the same level of dedication and hard work he displayed during his UFC career. His continued success in the boxing ring will depend on his ability to adapt to the different rules and techniques of the sport. Still, Aldo’s talent and determination suggest he could have a bright future as a professional boxer.
Pearl Gonzalez
Pearl Gonzalez is a retired mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC’s strawweight division. Her record stands at 10 wins and 5 losses in the organization before being released in 2017. After leaving the UFC, Gonzalez decided to pursue a career in professional boxing.
Gonzalez has had a relatively good start in her pro boxing career. In her youth, she was previously a golden gloves amateur champion in 2008. Gonzalez won her professional boxing debut in September 2019 against Danielle Wynn, winning unanimously.
She continued to box, defeating Ivana Coleman with a technical knockout victory in 2022. Pearl later faced Gina Mazany and lost via majority decision. She has also entered the world of bare-knuckle boxing, where she has faced Charse Sigala, winning via unanimous decision.
However, later that year, she faced Britain Hart losing via unanimous decision. Her professional boxing career currently stands at 2 wins and 1 loss. With 1 win and 1 loss in bare-knuckle boxing.
Gonzalez’s early boxing career has aided her in a smooth transition to boxing. She continues to train and seek opportunities to compete. She hopes to prove herself in boxing and make a name for herself beyond her MMA career.
Jeremy Stephens
Stephens is an American mixed martial artist who had a lengthy career in the UFC as a featherweight and lightweight fighter. He made his UFC debut in 2007 and was known for his knockout power and aggressive fighting style, earning a reputation as one of the most feared strikers in the UFC.
Stephens’s record currently stands at 29 wins and 21 losses with 1 no-contest. Stephans has amassed a total of 19 knockout victories throughout his MMA career. After leaving the UFC in 2021, Stephens announced that he would pursue a career in professional boxing.
He made his professional boxing debut in 2023 against former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo. The two had previously faced off in the UFC, where Aldo won via TKO. The fight was ruled a majority draw. Despite transitioning to a new combat sport, Stephens showed exceptional striking skills. He demonstrated his ability to adapt to the different rules and techniques in boxing.
Stephens’ match against Aldo showcased his impressive striking. He is seeking new challenges in professional boxing, calling out McGregor for a potential boxing match. Although Stephens is relatively new to the sport of boxing, his unwavering commitment suggests that he has the potential to excel in professional boxing.
Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva
Silva is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist. He made his UFC debut in the heavyweight division in 2010. He was known for his imposing size, strength, and devastating knockout power. He became a rising challenger who rose to the ranks to defeat Fedor Emelianenko and Alistair Overeem. His record stands at 19 wins, 14 losses, in the UFC.
Silva was released from UFC in 2017 due to losses. He pursued a career in bare-knuckle boxing and debuted in 2019 against Gabriel Gonzaga. Unfortunately, Silva lost via knockout in the second round.
Silva then debuted professionally in boxing in 2022 against the experienced Russian professional boxer Viacheslav Datsik. Unfortunately, Datsik won the fight via a devastating TKO victory. Despite his lack of professional boxing experience, Silva showcased his willingness to transition to other combat sports.
It was unexpected that Silva would transition to professional boxing after his achievements and departure from the UFC. Despite only having one professional fight in boxing, Silva’s tenacity and readiness to face fresh obstacles is a testament to his versatility as a fighter.
Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza
Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist with a long and successful UFC career. He made his UFC debut in 2013. He was known for his world-class grappling skills, earning multiple submission victories and establishing himself as a top midweight division contender.
After leaving the UFC in 2021, Souza announced that he would pursue a career in professional boxing. His record at the end of his MMA career stood at 26 wins and 10 losses. Despite having no previous professional boxing experience, Souza’s striking ability and athleticism made him a natural fit for the sport. He made his professional boxing debut in 2023 against Vitor Belfort, who unfortunately scored a knockout victory over Souza in the 6th round.
Souza’s move to professional boxing was surprising, given his success in mixed martial arts. Despite being recognized for his versatile skills, he has shown a keen interest in testing his abilities in boxing. Although Souza is still in the early stages of his boxing career, his inherent talent and diligent efforts indicate that he has the potential to thrive in this new endeavor.
Gina Mazany
Mazany is a retired American mixed martial artist with a brief but notable career in the UFC. She made her UFC debut in 2017 and fought as a bantamweight, earning 2 wins and 6 losses before being released.
After leaving the UFC in 2020, Mazany announced that she would pursue a career in professional boxing. She made her professional boxing debut in February 2023 against Pearl Gonzalez, winning via a majority decision victory.
Despite having no previous professional boxing experience, Mazany’s striking ability and athleticism made her a natural fit for the sport. Mazany’s move to professional boxing was a new opportunity for the fighter to continue competing at a high level.
While her UFC career was short-lived, she has expressed her excitement for the new challenge and her desire to prove herself in boxing. Mazany’s natural ability and determination suggest she may be a successful boxer in the sport.
Tyron Woodley
Woodley is a retired American mixed martial artist with a long and successful UFC career. He made his UFC debut in 2013 and quickly became a top contender in the welterweight division. He eventually won the UFC welterweight championship in 2016 and successfully defended the title four times. Amassing a record of 19 wins and 7 losses with 1 draw.
After leaving the UFC in 2021, Woodley announced that he would pursue a career in professional boxing. He made his professional boxing debut in August 2021, facing off against YouTuber turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Woodley lost the fight via split decision, but his performance was praised by many for his boxing skills and overall effort in the ring. The two faced off again later that year, where Woodley would lose again via KO.
Woodley’s move to professional boxing was a natural progression; he had always expressed interest in the sport. While his debut fight resulted in a loss, Woodley’s boxing ability and competitive spirit suggest he could have a successful career in the sport. He has expressed his desire to continue fighting and hopes to secure more opportunities in the boxing world.
Uriah Hall
Hall is a retired Jamaican-American mixed martial artist. He made his UFC debut in 2013 after competing on The Ultimate Fighter reality show. He was known for his powerful striking and highlight-reel knockouts. His MMA record currently stands at 17 wins and 11 losses. Out of his 17 wins, 13 came by way of knockout.
After leaving the UFC in 2022, Hall announced that he would pursue a career in professional boxing. He made his professional boxing debut in 2022 against Le’Veon Bell, winning a unanimous decision victory over the former NFL player.
Despite having no previous professional boxing experience, Hall’s striking ability and athleticism in MMA made him a natural fit for boxing. Hall’s transition to professional boxing presented a fresh avenue to sustain his high-level competitiveness.
Despite his successful stint in the UFC, he has conveyed his enthusiasm for the new challenge and yearned to establish his worth in the boxing arena. Hall’s innate talent and diligent efforts indicate that he has the potential to thrive in the sport, and he persists in pursuing his objectives within the confines of the boxing ring.
Frank Mir
Mir is a retired American mixed martial artist with a long and successful career in the UFC. He made his UFC debut in 2001 and quickly became a top contender in the heavyweight division. He eventually won the UFC heavyweight championship in 2004 and the interim championship in 2008.
In the UFC in 2017, he amassed a record of 19 wins and 13 losses. Following his release from the UFC, Mir announced that he would pursue a career in professional boxing. He made his professional boxing debut in April 2021, facing off against former cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham.
Mir lost the fight via unanimous decision, but his performance was praised by many for his boxing skills and overall effort in the ring. Moving to professional boxing was a fresh chance for Mir to keep up his competitive spirit to a high standard.
Despite his successful career in UFC, he has shown enthusiasm for this novel challenge and his eagerness to establish his mettle in boxing. Mir’s innate talent and unwavering perseverance indicate that he has the potential for a thriving career in the field, as he persists in striving for his objectives within the boxing ring.
John Moraga
John Moraga is a retired American mixed martial artist with a successful UFC career. He made his UFC debut in 2012 and quickly established himself as a top contender in the flyweight division, eventually earning a title shot in 2013. Throughout his career in the MMA, he has racked up 19 wins and 7 losses.
After leaving the UFC in 2019, Moraga announced that he would pursue a career in professional boxing. He made his professional boxing debut in 2012, Where he lost in the 6th round via unanimous decision by his Mexican opponent Jose Marrufo. Despite having no previous professional boxing experience, Moraga’s striking ability and athleticism made him a good prospect for the sport.
Moraga’s move to professional boxing was a new opportunity for the fighter to continue competing at a high level. Where he currently holds a boxing record of 1 win and 3 losses. While his UFC career was successful, he has expressed his excitement for the new challenge and his desire to prove himself in boxing.
Tito Ortiz
Tito Ortiz is a retired American mixed martial artist with a long and successful UFC career. He made his UFC debut in 1997 and quickly established himself as one of the most dominant fighters in the light heavyweight division.
Tito won the UFC light heavyweight championship in 2000 and defended the title five times. He has amassed a record of 21 wins and 12 defeats with 1 draw in his MMA career. After retiring from the UFC in 2012, Ortiz announced that he would pursue a career in professional boxing.
He made his professional boxing debut in September 2021, facing off against former UFC legend Anderson Silva. Ortiz lost the fight via knockout in the first round. Despite losing his debut boxing match, Ortiz is early into his boxing career and expressed his excitement for the new challenge and his desire to continue fighting in the boxing world.
Ben Askren
Ben Askren is a retired American mixed martial artist with a successful career in various promotions, including the UFC. He was known for his wrestling background and his ability to control fights on the ground. His MMA record stands at 22 wins and 2 losses with 1 no-contest.
Following a series of two losses in the UFC career loss to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Mia, he retired from the UFC in 2019. He made his professional boxing debut in April 2021 after being challenged by former YouTube personality Jake Paul. Unfortunately, Askren lost the fight via knockout in the first round.
Despite the disappointing loss in his debut boxing match, Askren remains determined to continue pursuing a career in wrestling where he continues to teach aspiring wrestlers. He has always been known for his competitive spirit and willingness to take on new challenges.
Nolan Ticman
Nolan Ticman is a retired mixed martial artist with a brief UFC career. He competed in the flyweight division and has a record of 4 wins and 3 losses. After exiting from the UFC, Ticman decided to pursue a career in professional boxing.
The Filipino-American Nolan Ticman won his professional boxing debut by defeating American Keith Carson in a four-round lightweight fight at the Derby Room in Pomona, California. Ticman, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight fighter, won the fight with a flurry of jabs and counter-punches, scoring a shutout 40-36 victory in all three judges’ scorecards.
Ticman’s boxing manager believes he could still compete for a world championship with more fights and wins. Ticman had a successful professional boxing debut recently and now aspires to continue boxing. Despite his background in mixed martial arts, Ticman has proven himself capable of being a potentially successful boxer.
Conclusion
The transition from MMA to boxing is a challenging one, but these UFC fighters have proven that it is possible to excel in both sports. These fighters have shown us that anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and discipline.
Although they may have retired from MMA, their boxing careers have given us a glimpse of their continued fighting spirit and determination to succeed in the ring. Their success in boxing has elevated their legacies and brought attention to the sport of MMA and its talented athletes.
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