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A COMPLETE LIST OF MMA FIGHTERS THAT STARTED LATE



Most believe in order to be successful at a sport like MMA, you have to get in
early. Although there are quite a few fighters that have proven that this isn’t
always the case.

Here is a list of the best MMA fighters that started late in their career.
Detailing when they got into MMA and the accolades they earned within the sport.

Who are some of the best MMA fighters that started late? There are many great
fighters that got a late start in their MMA career. Just a few names on our
lists include: Randy Couture, Mark Hunt, Kimbo Slice, Brock Lesnar,  Francis
Ngnannou, and Daniel Cormier.


RANDY COUTURE

The MMA legend, Randy “The Natural” Couture got into MMA at the age of 34.
Having his first two MMA bouts in 1997.

Couture would go on to win the UFC heavyweight title twice and the light
heavyweight title twice. He would then retire for a short period of time before
coming out of retirement and winning the heavyweight title again. All after the
age of 40 and retiring at the age of 48.


MARK HUNT

Mark Hunt is a fan favorite that got into MMA late after spending years fighting
in kickboxing. The Super Samoan made his MMA debut at Pride Critical Countdown
2004 in a losing effort against Hidehiko Yoshida.

Hunt would bounce back,beating legends Wanderlei Silva and Cro Cop on a five
fight win streak before losing five fights. He entered the UFC at 39 with a
losing record, but became a fan favorite with multiple highlight reel knockouts.


BROCK LESNAR

Brock Lesnar spent most of his twenties working on top in the WWE. He would make
his MMA debut at nearly 30 and enter the UFC in just his second pro bout.

Lesnar proved to be a once in a lifetime athlete and became the UFC heavyweight
champion in 2008. The same year he joined the promotion and earned a record of
5-3 during his career.


DANIEL CORMIER

Daniel Cormier was considered one of the best amateur wrestlers of his era.
Unfortunately he had kidney failure during a weight cut during his second
Olympic appearance.

This would lead him to transitioning to MMA at the late age of thirty. Cormier
would become one of the all time great fighters winning titles in two divisions
and an impressive 22-3 record.


KIMBO SLICE

The famous streetfighter from Miami made his name for years fighting self
proclaimed tough guys that were put on Youtube. Slice would have his first pro
MMA bout at the age of 33 for EliteXC.

He would then make an appearance on The Ultimate Fighter and fight twice for the
promotion afterwards. While fighting MMA, Kimbo also fought in boxing and had
his last MMA bout in 2016 against Dada 5000.


FRANCIS NGANNOU

Francis Ngannou spent most of his life working in a diamond mine in Cameroon.
After successfully migrating to Europe, he came into contact with an MMA gym in
France.

Ngannou would have his first pro fight at 26 with less than a year of MMA
training. From there, the rest is history and Ngannou is now the most dominant
heavyweight fighter in MMA.


CHUCK LIDDELL

Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell was one of the first MMA superstars in the sport. He
got into the sport late having his first MMA bout at the age of 29.

Liddell would go on to have an amazing career and won the UFC light heavyweight
title and defended it four times. Ending his career with a 21-9 record and being
inducted into the UFC hall of fame.


MATT MITRIONE

After a career as a professional football player, Matt Mitrione got into MMA and
had his first pro fight at 30. He started his career in the UFC and would stay
in the promotion for the first seven years of his career.

Mitrione would move on to Bellator and as of now has a record of 13-9 and one no
contest overall.


YOEL ROMERO 

Yoel Romero spent years as one of the best amateur wrestlers in the world. After
successfully defecting to the US, Romero would transition to MMA at the age of
31.

Romero would become one of the most feared fighters in the UFC middleweight
division into his forties. At 45, Romero is still actively fighting and is
currently under contract with Bellator MMA.


JIMI MANUWA 

Jimi Manuwa turned pro in MMA at the age of 28. Even though Manuwa had a late
start, he would go undefeated in his first eleven fights.

After eleven years as a pro fighter, Manuwa would retire in 2019 with a record
of 17-6.


SHANE CARWIN 

Shane Carwin was one of the most feared fighters in the heavyweight division
during his career. He got into MMA when he was 30, but the late start was no
problem for Carwin.

Finishing his opponents in all twelve of his wins and only losing twice during
his career.


HOLLY HOLM 

Holly Holm was one of the greatest female boxers in the world before
transitioning to MMA at 29. Holm would be dominant, beating her first nine
opponents before beating Ronda Rousey by head kick.

She has continued to be one of the best fighters in her division and at forty is
still going strong in the sport.


HIDEHIKO YOSHIDA 

Hidehiko Yoshida was one of the most accomplished judokas in the history of
Japan. He would transition to MMA at the age of 32 and was known for fighting
his patented judo gi.

Yoshida fought some of the best in the sport and ended his career with a record
of 9-8.


MUHAMMED LAWAL

Muhammaed Lawal was an accomplished collegiate wrestler before transitioning to
MMA at the age of 28. At the beginning, Lawal found a lot of success going
undefeated in his first seven fights.

Lawal would become the Strikeforce light heavyweight champion and later fight
for Bellator for six years. Retiring at the end of 2019 with a respectable
record of 21-10.


PAT BARRY

Pat Barry was considered one of the best kickboxers in the world before he
transitioned to MMA at 28. Barry would find some success in the UFC and end his
MMA career with a record of 8-7


RICH FRANKLIN

Originally, Rich Franklin was a school teacher and didn’t have thought about
fighting in MMA. He got into the sport at the age of 24 with no formal training
beforehand.

Despite the late start, Franklin would go on to become the UFC middleweight
champion. Ending his career with a record of 29-7.


DAN HENDERSON

Dan Henderson would get into MMA at the age of 27 after a successful career as
an amateur wrestler. He would have an even more successful career as an MMA
fighter and become one of the all time greats.

Holding the Pride welterweight and middleweight titles simultaneously and having
some of the best fights in MMA history. Henderson would end his career with a
record of 32-15 and become a UFC hall of famer.


STIPE MIOCIC

The former UFC heavyweight champion, Stipe Miocic got into MMA at the age of 27.
He originally wanted to get into boxing, but was convinced to try MMA by his
coach.

It turned out to be the right choice, because Miocic would become a 2x UFC
heavyweight champion. Miocic currently has a record of 20-4 and is looking to
regain his title.

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