5 UFC fighters who have adapted a traditional martial art for modern MMA

#2 UFC women's bantamweight Ronda Rousey - Judo

Ronda Rousey's martial arts history before she transitioned into the UFC was entirely centered around Judo. She won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games prior to her pro MMA debut, demonstrating just how high level her judo credentials truly were.

When she entered the UFC, women's MMA was still very much in its infancy. Rousey's lengthy judo career saw her already equipped with the skills necessary to dispatch 12 consecutive opponents, including all-time greats such as Miesha Tate and Cat Zingano.

Rousey's run of dominance in women's MMA was all due to her judo background. Her initial adaptation of the traditional martial art into her UFC fights was nothing short of a phenomenon. However, the ever evolving nature of MMA eventually caught up with Rousey as she picked up back-to-back losses against Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes, leading to Rousey's subsequent retirement.

#1 UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson - Kempo Karate

It is hard to make a case for there being any other UFC fighter in history who was able to have such success at transitioning from a traditional martial art to MMA, whilst simultaneously retaining the core fundamentals of their original style, than Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson.

Thompson began training in kempo karate as soon as he was able to walk. His father, Ray Thompson, holds black belts in nine different martial arts styles, and is the head coach of Upstate Karate. It was at Upstate Karate that Stephen Thompson began his journey into martial arts, and it is still the gym that he primarily trains out of to this day.

When 'Wonderboy' competes in the UFC, his karate roots are clear to see. The side-on stance, the in-and-out movement and the rapid side kicks are all key components of Thompson's style. However, he has also merged traditional techniques with those more often attributed to modern MMA.

Out of all the fighters on this list, it is Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson who was able to most effectively adapt a traditional martial art into a style that is able to match the greatest modern UFC fighters in every facet of the sport.