Ten victories and zero defeats define the MMA career of heavyweight Josh Hokit as he prepares to face Ciryl Gane.
From Fresno State to the San Francisco 49ers
Before his transition to mixed martial arts, Josh Hokit played college football and wrestled at Fresno State. Touchdown Actu reported that he went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft before signing with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent.
He spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons between the offseason roster and the practice squad as a fullback and tight end. He later spent time on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad in 2022 without appearing in a regular-season game.
Transition to Mixed Martial Arts
Hokit shifted to full-time MMA competition in 2023. Touchdown Actu reported that nine of his ten professional victories came before the final bell.
In 2026, he secured technical knockout wins over Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis. Those victories set up his upcoming matchup at UFC 334 against Ciryl Gane.
Brock Lesnar Moved from Wrestling to the Minnesota Vikings
Brock Lesnar transitioned from professional wrestling to professional football in 2004 despite not playing the sport since high school. Touchdown Actu reported that his size at 1.91 meters and 130 kilograms helped him secure a training camp contract with the Minnesota Vikings.
Lesnar appeared in preseason games at defensive tackle before being released before the regular season. He debuted in the UFC in 2008 and defeated Randy Couture at UFC 91 to win the heavyweight championship.
He successfully defended his title against Frank Mir and Shane Carwin before losing to Cain Velasquez. His promotional record finished at 5 wins, 3 losses, and 1 no contest.
Greg Hardy Transitioned from the NFL to the UFC
Greg Hardy played 75 regular-season games in the NFL between 2010 and 2015 with the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys. Greg Hardy accumulated 40 sacks and earned a Pro Bowl selection before moving to MMA in 2017.
He compiled 40 sacks, 238 tackles, and 8 forced fumbles, earning a Pro Bowl selection and a second-team All-Pro nomination in 2013 following a 15-sack season. He advanced to the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2018, and he left the organization in 2022.
Matt Mitrione played nine regular-season games for the New York Giants in 2002 after playing at Purdue University. Non-drafted coming out of Purdue University in 2002, this massive defensive tackle standing 1.91 meters tall and weighing 120 kilograms signed with the New York Giants. Touchdown Actu reported that he competed on the tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter before launching his UFC career in 2009.
Mitrione compiled a 9-5 record inside the UFC before competing in Bellator, where he knocked out Fedor Emelianenko.
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