Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agility and on-field acrobatics are not unknown to football fans as the Swede has time and again displayed his exceptional abilities in the most unimaginable of circumstances.
Everyone will remember Ibrahimovic's incredible overhead kick from outside the box to annihilate England 4-2 in a friendly in 2012.
UFC welterweight fighter, Danny “Hot Chocolate” Roberts has chosen a dangerous path in challenging Ibrahimovic to a fight in the Octagon. Roberts was speaking to the media ahead of UFC 204, that was held in Manchester on October 8 and put a challenge across to the big Swede.
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Not many fans know that the 35-year-old Manchester United striker is a black belt in Taekwondo. This does explain Ibrahimovic's physical capabilities even at the age of 35. His fellow Manchester United team-mates have reiterated how the Swede maintains his fitness and plays like someone who is just ‘28 or 29 years old’.
“I didn't know that. Yeah, I'd like to see him in the Octagon, see what he's got,” Roberts said.
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Although the bout between the football star and the UFC star will most likely not come to fruition, Roberts spoke about what it could do to UFC if it ever happened.
“At the same time it would probably add a little bit more value to us and what we do. So, yeah. If he's willing to fight, I'm here,” he stated.
Roberts, when asked about the difference in the weight between Ibrahimovic and him, the UFC star that he is ready to make up the weight anytime. However, given the former Swedish captain's height advantage, it could be a tough task for Roberts to take Ibrahimovic down.
Zlatan, a Taekwondo expert
Taekwondo, which is a Korean martial art, is one that involves a lot of kicking with special stress given to head-high kicks, jumping and spinning kicks, and fast kicking routines. These techniques would understandably explain Ibrahimovic's style of bringing the ball down and kicking the ball.
Ibrahimovic, who transferred on a free to Manchester United earlier this season, has been having a great time on the field after critics had written him off as an overhyped player.
In 11 appearances for Man United, the Swede has scored six goals and looks in better form than ever. Having retired from international football following the Euro 2016 campaign, it seems Ibrahimovic is making use of his free time getting fitter which is not good news to opposition defenders.
