07th Jun 2010
Herchel, Conseco… Who’s Next?
After former NFL running back Herschel Walker and Major League Baseball’s tell-all bad boy Jose Conseco became the most recognizable mainstream athletes to test their mixed martial arts skills professionally, curiosity is calling for an quick review or strongest, fastest and most cunning ballplayers who might (in theory of course) find a second home in the octagon. Prior to the never ending Manny Pacquiao build up, Floyd Mayweather had expressed interest in matching up with a MMA pro in what would be sure to be a Pay-per-view extravaganza. While his boxing technique and ability is matched by few, if any, for the purpose of this discussion, consider athletes with no fighting experience, except maybe the school yard.
With the NBA playoffs consuming the airwaves for the better portion of the past month, Dwight Howard fill’s up the television screen like few before him. Nicknamed “Manchild,” the guy is a pure physical specimen, with shoulder’s the size of bowling balls. Sure he’d have to put on a little bulk to compliment his 7 foot frame, but despite his good-natured demeanor one wouldn’t want to be on the other side of an argument with him. Staying in the NBA, Ron Artest also comes to mind. Cut from the Dennis Rodman mold of any attention is good attention, Artest has actively seeked the limelight outside of the basketball world, through his bizarre hairstyles and failed rap career. He’s no stranger to confrontation as well, after famously throwing punches at Piston’s fans in the Palace melee. Finally, I’d like to see what Lawrence Taylor has to offer. Coming off his most recent scandal, the man could use some positive publicity. His hall of fame worthy mean streak while roaming the hash-marks for Giants struck fear into the hearts of opposing position players for more than a decade. There’s no telling what kind of shape he’s maintained over the years, but he’s still only three years older than fellow gridiron star turned MMA competitor Herschel Walker.
