5 Cricketers who could've been MMA fighters

#2 Kevin Pietersen

MMA is a challenging sport, not only physically but mentally as well.

The sport is filled with rebels who aren’t afraid to go against the system. Several of the sport’s most well-known and successful competitors are rebels such as Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Jon Jones, Cody Garbrandt and Brock Lesnar, to name a few.

On the other hand, one of the most polarising personalities in the gentleman’s sport is the batsman and spin bowler, Kevin Pietersen. Born in Pietermaritzburg, Natal province, South Africa, the 6’5” cricketer moved to England owing to his disagreement with SA cricket’s racial quota system.

This, in turn, earned him criticism from fellow-South Africans including big names such as ex-SA captain Graeme Smith. In fact, Pietersen’s nickname is ‘The Ego’ or in Shane Warne’s words, ‘The Walking Ego’.

KP has had disagreements with almost every domestic and international team he’s been associated with and has no regrets whatsoever.

Apart from his devil-may-care attitude, KP’s unorthodox batting abilities and incredible high-flying fielding skills serve to further solidify his place as not only one of the best athletes but also one of the most mentally strong competitors in world cricket.

‘The Ego’ is a perfect fit for the savage science and hey! KP already has a marketable nickname, after all, who doesn’t love people with huge egos...cough... Conor McGregor. Here’s a look at the bad blood between KP and Mitchell Johnson.