10 MMA Champions Who Held World Titles Elsewhere
9. Alistair Overeem (K1 Grand Prix)
Alistair Overeem definitely falls into the category of 'unorthodox' Heavyweight.
By taking one look at the man, you'd think he was a straight up destroyer who simply steam-rolled his opponents with his size and strength alone.
Well, you're only half wrong.
Though it'd be super easy to pin up the countless scalps (Brock Lesnar, Fabricio Werdum and Mark Hunt, including) or wax lyrically about his success in numerous promotions (PRIDE, UFC and Strikeforce), his career outside of MMA is worth examining.
Overeem found success as a Submission Wrestler for his native Netherlands in the 2005 ADCC European Championships (winning gold).
However, it is in his beloved Kickboxing that Overeem truly found his niche.
The K-1 World Grand Prix Final is the culmination of a full years worth of tournaments in which the best of the best qualify to battle for the right to be known as the true Kickboxing Champ.
Overeem came into the 2010 iteration hot and obliterated the field on his way to becoming the K-1 World Grand Prix Champion.
Couple into this his Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship and it only leaves Overeem with the UFC's top Heavyweight title to complete his set.
You wouldn't bet against a man who can grind, strike or submit you as good as anyone in the game.