As well as being a dab hand at pro-wrestling, Joe isn't too shabby when it comes to real submission wrestling and fighting. Joe trains in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo and Muay-Thai at LA Boxing in Costa Mesa, California. He is also a frequent sparring partner of MMA fighter and trainer Justin McNully. He is also friends with UFC legend Tito Ortiz. An episode of Rob Van Dam's web series RVD TV showed Joe rolling and sparring with Van Dam and McNully in California. Joe looked pretty good and agile for a man of his size. Anyone who has watched Samoa Joe's career knows that he's inspired by MMA and will often incorporate MMA moves and holds into his matches. His MMA-inspired Lockdown 2008 match with Kurt Angle (who is also a fan of the sport) was like a breath of fresh air amongst the usual TNA lunacy. Will Joe follow in the footsteps of Brock Lesnar, Dave Batista and CM Punk and make the move from sports-entertainment to mixed martial arts? It's doubtful. Joe is broken down after years of punishing matches and would need a lot of help with training before he would be ready for a professional MMA fight. But, never say never. Stranger things have happened and, should he make the transition and compete for a smaller MMA company, you wouldn't bet against him.
