Prime Michael Jordan could not be stopped.
The iconic athlete won two three-peats as the leader of an iconic 1990s Chicago Bulls dynasty — either side of a brief stint in MLB.
But what if he donned gloves and entered the Octagon instead of picking up a baseball bat?
Commentator Joe Rogan is reasonably well qualified to answer that question and shared some insights in a chat with comedian Tom Segura.
Former NFL standout Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson believes that his own athletic ability would make him competitive in MMA, which Rogan shot down before discussing MJ.
“If MMA existed when Michael Jordan was alive, he’d probably be the light heavyweight champion of the world,” Rogan said. “He’d probably figure out a way to f*** everybody else up.”
Rogan did name one major flaw with the idea of His Airness dominating combat sports like he did the court.
Athletic ability will only get you so far and the best fighters have been honing their craft since they were children.
“It’s also his drive and championship mindset,” Rogan added.
“There is just rare humans that choose to focus on football or soccer or basketball or whatever it is. But if they put the same amount of energy in at an early enough age…
“There’s certain barriers that cannot be overcome and one of them is physical maturity.
“If you start boxing at 36 years old, I don’t care. You’re not going to be a world champion, it’s too hard.
The Bulls won six titles in the 1990sGetty Rogan insists world-class fighters have to start youngGetty“It’s what you saw with Francis Ngannou when he fought Anthony Joshua.”
One of the UFC‘s most feared heavyweights, Ngannou was overpowered from the first bell against AJ — a former unified champion — and was KO’d in two rounds.
Rogan is almost certainly right that Jordan couldn’t have picked up MMA after his basketball career and reached the pinnacle of his sport.
He did concede that Ochocinco would probably have been an elite fighter if he hadn’t chosen football instead.
The UFC has risen from obscurity at the time MJ and Johnson were growing up and more and more gifted athletes may opt for combat sports instead of taking to the field or court.
As for Air Jordan, he already has a new venture to keep him busy and is unlikely to join fellow NBA legend Tim Duncan in MMA.
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The 62-year-old has been announced as a special correspondent on NBC’s coverage of the league once their new deal begins next season.
The broadcaster is returning as a rights-holder in the new 11-year $76 billion TV deal.
Announcing Jordan as a correspondent at a presentation at Radio City Music Hall, NBC mimicked the famous press release the five-time MVP dropped when he un-retired from basketball in 1995, by flashing on the screen the words, “I’m back.”
Jordan then appeared in a video. “Sorry I can’t be with you,” he said.
“The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career, and I’m excited about being a special contributor to the project. I’m looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this October.”
In the battle for TV supremacy, the gloves are well and truly off.
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