Partner Pulse

By R.K. MENN
Sports Nickel

With the UFC showcasing a “boxer vs. MMA fighter” bout on August 28 between James Toney and Randy Couture, and the impending signing of former WWE superstar Dave Bautista by Strikeforce, I thought it would be cool to put together a Top 5 (yeah, 5, because of the Nickel) list of athletes I’d like to see enter the MMA cage. It’s big guy heavy because, let’s face it, that’s who we pay to see. But first, I’d like to present two guys who almost made the list.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

The Rock
Height – 6’4"
Weight – 260lbs
Age – 38

Yeah, you read that right, The Rock. Yeah, technically he’s a retired athlete, but who are you to deny “The People’s Champ” entry into the cage? Are you telling me you don’t want to see “The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment” check jabronis into the Smackdown Hotel after he layeth the smacketh down on their candyass? Please. Let me make something perfectly clear to you. You have never, and The Rock means, never, impressed The Rock with your MMA knowledge. So know your role, and shut your mouth! I mean, come on, there has never been someone with the mic skills this man possesses. He could promote a fight like no other. And with the success that Lesnar has brought the UFC in terms of PPV buys, it almost makes for a no-brainer. The millions…and millions of Rock’s fans would push any card he’s on over the 1 million mark easily. I know he doesn’t have any formal MMA training, but that wouldn’t stop Strikeforce from signing him. I can hear them now, chanting his name…Rocky…Rocky…Rocky…..

Shaquille O'Neal
Height – 7’1"
Weight – 315lbs
Age – 38

The Diesel! He almost makes the Top 5, narrowly missing out because the only person he could fight would be Choi Hong-man. Not something I’m particularly interested in watching. Funny thing is O’Neal actually challenged Choi Hong-man to a mixed martial arts bout via YouTube on June 17, 2009. Choi responded to Shaq’s challenge by saying, “Yes, if there is a chance.” So you never know. Now, if he could somehow make the 265lb weight limit for Heavyweights he might peak my interest. O’Neal has been training in mixed martial arts since 2000 at Jonathan Burke’s Gracie Gym. He has trained in boxing, jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and wrestling. He even displayed some of those boxing skills when he “boxed” Oscar DeLa Hoya on his show, “Shaq VS.” That’s pretty scary when you consider the size of the man. He has got to be the largest human walking the Earth. Has to be. Show me someone bigger. Not just talller or fatter or whatever. All around size. Bet you can’t. He’s like Zeus, only more powerful.

Click here for the Top 5.

Read more of R.K. Menn at Sports Nickel.