- Nate Diaz is the latest MMA fighter to try their hand as a professional boxer
- Conor McGregor famously took on Floyd Mayweather in the 'Money Fight'
- Francis Ngannou is set to take on WBC champion Tyson Fury later this year
The history of the world's most popular combat sports - mixed martial arts and boxing - are inexorably linked. While both can trace their roots to the Olympic Games of Ancient Greece, MMA's modern history owes itself to boxing.
After all, the first mixed rules fight to be televised saw 'Judo' Gene LeBell take on boxer Milo Savage in 1963 in an early attempt to answer the question of whether a good grappler could defeat a good boxer.
And Savage's exploits soon convinced other boxers to compete in proto-MMA, with Muhammad Ali infamously facing Japanese pro wrestling icon Antonio Inoki in a 15-round mixed rules bout in 1976.
These days however, with MMA having grown into a legitimate sport in its own right it has become much more common to see fighters transition into the sweet science rather than the other way around.
Conor McGregor set himself up for life while putting up an admirable performance in defeat against Floyd Mayweather in 2017, but not all fighters have come away from their forays into pugilism with such happy memories.
Conor McGregor - 0-1
Regardless of your opinion on the crossover era of combat sports that it birthed, it's hard to judge 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 a highly-touted yet relatively unknown prospect to the promotion's first simultaneous two-weight world champion with a popularity that transcended the sport as a whole.
Though there is debate whether Mayweather intentionally carried the Irishman to the later rounds when they fought, it is undeniable that McGregor's performance surpassed the expectations of many and enshired him place as one of the world's most recognisable athletes.
Anderson Silva - 3-2
Possibly the greatest striker ever to compete in MMA, in his prime Anderson Silva was a force of nature; capable of exposing just how rudimentary many of his opponents were on the feet.
Prior to signing with the UFC in 2006, Silva had competed in a pair of boxing matches in his native Brazil before putting his pugilism career on hold as he embarked on his legendary run inside the Octagon.
Though he suffered an ignominious 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.
Israel Adesanya 5-1
Much 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 accomplished opposition right from the start of his boxing career, losing a decision to 38-fight veteran Daniel Ammann in his pro debut.
In the following twelve months, Adesanya would fight a further five times, twice triumphing in one-night Super 8 Boxing boxing tournaments in the cruiserweight division before turning his attention back to kickboxing and MMA.
Francis Ngannou - 0-0
Much like McGregor, Francis Ngannou will make his first foray into professional boxing - whilst in the prime of his MMA career - against an elite opponent when he faces Tyson Fury in October.
Unlike McGregor though, Ngannou has ventured into the sweet science without the blessing of the UFC, and with a significantly more mixed reaction to the news from the general public.
If any fighter in the history of MMA has possessed the kind of power necessary to topple an elite heavyweight it would be Ngannou. However, the gargantuan difference in skills and boxing experience will likely see his crossover into boxing be unsuccessful, though highly lucrative.
Tom Aspinall - 1-0
Having enjoyed a successful return to the Octagon last month, Tom Aspinall is riding a wave of momentum that has seen him emerge as a potential contender for Jon Jones' heavyweight crown.
In 2017, however, Aspinall found himself struggling to get fights on the UK's regional circuit and briefly embarked on a career in boxing.
Training alongside Tyson Fury, Aspinall stepped into the ring for his one, and thus far only, professional boxing match that year, comfortably defeating Hungarian journeyman Tamas Bajzath via first-round knockout.
Tyron Woodley - 0-2
After Ben Askren became the first MMA fighter to be defeated by Jake Paul, his teammate Tyron Woodley was drafted in to face the 'Problem Child' in August of 2021.
The former UFC Welterweight Champion proved to be a tougher out for Paul, but ultimately suffered from a gun shyness that plagued his later career inside the Octagon en route to a decision defeat.
Woodley would receive a shot at redemption against Paul that same year as a late replacement, but this time would find himself on the receiving end of a brutal sixth-round KO.
Kimbo Slice - 7-0
An early star of the internet for his success in bareknuckle street fight videos, Kimbo Slice instantly became must-see TV on his transition to MMA in 2007.
After participating in the first MMA event to be shown on prime time network television in the US Slice would embark on a brief run in the UFC via The Ultimate Fighter, but was released by the promotion in 2010.
In the following years Slice would make a total of seven professional boxing appearances, winning all of his fights against low level opposition before returning to MMA to sign with Bellator in 2015 before his untimely death the following year.
Michael 'Venom' Page - 2-0
One of the most skilled fighters ever yet to have competed in the UFC, Michael Page has nevertheless transitioned his skills in point kickboxing into a successful career in professional combat sports.
After scoring some of the most unique KO's in the history of MMA during his time with Bellator, Page announced he would transition to ring in 2017 after signing with former heavyweight champion David Haye.
A pair of fights under the Hayemaker Ringstar banner followed, with MVP receiving criticism from boxing analysts for showboating against in victories against opponents that were significantly below his skill level.
Clay Collard - 9-6-3
While most of his contemporaries on this list dabbled in boxing before committing to MMA, or transitioned for a high-profile crossover fight, Clay Collard took a need for quick money and turned it into an eventful career in the ring.
After winning just one of his first 5 fights, Collard developed a habit of upsetting prospects during later outings, defeating the previously 9-0 Quashawn Toler, 5-0 Raymond Guajardo and 6-0 David Kaminsky in successive fights in 2020.
Collard has since returned to pursuing MMA as his priority, and recently qualified for the PFL lightweight playoffs where he will face fellow UFC veteran Shane Burgos later this month's for a place in the promotions final with $1million at stake.
Nate Diaz - 0-0
Though he has long been admired for his boxing skills within MMA, Saturday's clash with Jake Paul will mark Nate Diaz's maiden outing as a professional boxer.
The Stockton native's combination punching, seemingly endless cardio, and ability to absorb punishment has seen him defeat several top names in the UFC including Conor McGregor and he will hoping those skills carry over to the boxing ring when he takes on Paul in the event broadcast on DAZN on Saturday night.
While Nate hasn't competed in boxing, brother Nick Diaz did make a sole foray into the sport in 2005, defeating Alfonso Rocha before returning to the UFC.
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