In the past two decades, the Ultimate Fighting Championship has been considered the most prestigious mixed martial arts promotion in the world. With it being considered the best, the fighters who participate in UFC bouts are also considered the world's elite. Here are five UFC fighters who showed their wares in the most esteemed sporting event in the world, the Olympics:
5. Dan Henderson
Though Hendo is considered one of the most deadly stand up fighter in the UFC, he is actually a representative of the USA in Greco-Roman Wrestling in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. At 46 years old, Henderson still was a title contender for the middleweight title but retired soon after losing to Michael Bisping in a title fight in 2016.
4. Henry Cejudo
Not many people know that this American fighter is a gold medalist in Olympic freestyle wrestling. 'The Messenger' has lost his last two fights against Joseph Benavidez and Demetrious Johnson but he has remained of the top guys in the flyweight division.
3. Yoel Romero
Romero has an Olympic silver medal on freestyle wrestling and a world championship gold medal under his belt. Since joining the UFC in 2013, the Cuban has won all of his eight fights, beating the likes of Chris Weidman and Lyoto Machida. It looks like he will have a chance to add the UFC middleweight belt to his collection as middleweight champ Michael Bisping pointed that Romero might be his next opponent, Fansided reported.
2. Ronda Rousey
Rousey has been known for her first round armbar finishes and that is because she is an Olympic bronze medalist on judo. 'Rowdy' was the biggest name in the UFC for some time but his back-to-back losses from Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes has sent her crashing back to earth. There is still uncertainty that surrounds Rousey's career but she will remain the sole reason why there is a women's division in the UFC.
1. Daniel Cormier
The UFC light heavyweight champion represented the USA at the 2004 Olympics and has since been a mainstay in the UFC as one of the most feared ground fighters. Cormier is set to defend his belt against Anthony Johnson at UFC 210 in April but if it were up to him, he said he would fight Jon Jones "over and over again," MMA Fighting reported.
Watch the video below for Romero's journey from the Olympics to the UFC: