I'm seconding (or thirding?). I don't think alot of people really comprehend and consider all aspects of being an athlete. Most of you are just droping sports with great stamina, which is not all (to me, subjectively ofcourse). Strength, Stamina, flexibility, agileness, heart (probably together with all contactsports something other sports don't come close too since it's all about stamina or focus) not to mention skills. In MMA you haveto be top notch in both standup and on the ground. Sounds easy? It takes about 10 years to get a brazilian jiu-jutsu black belt, and that's just on the ground...
Taking someone down - Wrestling (randy couture was an all american aswell as alot of others like matt hughes),
punching and kicking - Muay Thai and kick boxing (which takes like, forever to be prominent at. I've been training it myself for 1½ years and there's a shitload to learn), the list just goes on...
I guess what I'm saying is that if you don't think constantly and are on your toes - you'll definetly loose. Belive me when I say, it's hard as hell remembering that headlock you learned with all your other thousands of tricks when your stuck to the fence with someone trying to beat the living shit out of you...
"If you're going to measure every parameter [endurance, flexibility, coordination, strength], without a doubt, MMA fighters are the most accomplished athletes out there," says Carlon Colker, a Connecticut physician who has trained or advised the likes of Andre Agassi and Shaquille O'Neal as well as UFC fighters. "It's not even close."