#4 Kevin Randleman
The MMA world was shell-shocked in February 2016, when it came to light that Kevin Randleman was dead at just 44 years old. A former UFC Heavyweight Champion and a pioneer of the sport, Randleman will always be considered one of the most prodigious pure athletes to step into the octagon.
After winning two NCAA wrestling championships, the second on of those, despite a broken jaw, Randleman ventured into MMA.
Armed with redoubtable physical gifts and skill, Randleman was initially trained by former Olympic wrestler and inaugural UFC Heavyweight Champion, “The Godfather of Ground and Pound”, Mark Coleman.
The combination proved deadly, with Randleman winning twelve of his first fifteen fights and then capturing the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
“The Monster” then travelled to Japan, where he gave the MMA world one of the most heart-stopping moments in the sport’s history; “the suplex heard around the world”, in the second round of the 2004 Pride Heavyweight Grand Prix, which the legendary Fedor Emelianenko survived.
Fedor would mount a jaw-dropping comeback and submit Randleman with a Kimura, later on in the round. Another legend, Mirko CroCop, wasn’t that lucky in the prior bracket, as he was finished on the ground after being torn from his senses with a murderous left hook from Randleman.
After Pride closed its doors, Randleman crossed the divide to pro-wrestling, competing in various Japanese promotions. He even challenged WWE Superstar Kofi Kingston to a match in 2009.
Randleman left the world on February 11, 2016, after a heart attack.
