5 top class kickboxers who moved to fight in the UFC

#2. Gokhan Saki – former Glory light-heavyweight champion

Gokhan Saki's UFC career did not go quite as well as his time in kickboxing

Many of the highly accomplished kickboxers who entered the UFC weren’t able to enjoy the same success in the octagon as they did in the ring. Unfortunately, Gokhan Saki can count himself amongst those fighters.

Born in the Netherlands to a Turkish family, Saki began kickboxing professionally before the age of 20. By 2008, he’d put together an impressive record of 16-5 and claimed the WFCA super-heavyweight title – which was enough to earn him a shot in K-1, the world’s top kickboxing promotion.

While ‘The Rebel’ never held a title in K-1, he still beat some tremendous fighters like Tyrone Spong, Ray Sefo, and Daniel Ghita. He also made it to the finals of 2009’s K-1 World Grand Prix, losing to the legendary Peter Aerts.

Following K-1’s downfall, Saki – like most of the world’s top kickboxers – made his way to the Glory promotion, where he became the first Glory light-heavyweight champion by defeating Tyrone Spong in 2014.

That fight turned out to be one of his last in the ring, as he made his way to the UFC in 2017 and picked up a debut win over Luis Henrique. However, a shocking knockout loss to Khalil Rountree followed, and ‘The Rebel’ was then released by the promotion due to inactivity.

Saki’s UFC tenure may have been short, but he still stands as one of the best kickboxers to enter the UFC in recent years. His tale should be seen as a cautionary one for other top kickboxers looking to make the switch.

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#1. Israel Adesanya – current UFC middleweight champion

Israel Adesanya's kickboxing accomplishments nearly rival his accomplishments in the UFC

The most successful switchover from kickboxing to the UFC in recent years is undoubtedly Israel Adesanya.

‘The Last Stylebender’ entered the octagon in 2018 with plenty of fanfare behind him following his kickboxing exploits. Less than two years later, he captured the UFC middleweight title.

Incredibly, Adesanya’s accomplishments in kickboxing are almost enough to rival his accomplishments in MMA. He began kickboxing professionally in 2010 on the Australian circuit, and went on to win three of the New Zealand-based King in the Ring tournaments, one of which was in the heavyweight division.

These tournaments required ‘The Last Stylebender’ to defeat three opponents in a single night. His wins there marked him out as one of the best kickboxers on the planet.

While Adesanya failed in his quest to win Glory’s middleweight title – losing a controversial decision to Dutch fighter Jason Wilnis in 2017 – his overall kickboxing record of 75-5 is truly remarkable. Also remarkable is the fact that only one man, Alex Pereira, was ever able to stop him.

Adesanya currently stands as the best middleweight in MMA, and has never lost at 185lbs to date. Considering his success, it’s unlikely he’ll return to kickboxing any time soon. However, the current UFC middleweight champion definitely stands as one of the most memorable switchovers from kickboxing to MMA in the sport’s history.