Sherdog’s Top 10: Successful Olympic Crossovers

10. Hector Lombard

Although he is mostly known today as a vicious and feared knockout puncher with a penchant for abandoning a perfectly good nickname for something less intimidating, Lombard was once a world-class judo practitioner. The multiple-time Cuban and Australian national champion had less success on the international scene, but he did appear on the 2000 Cuban Olympic judo team at 73 kilograms. Although he failed to medal, Lombard made the most of the opportunity and defected, remaining in Australia after the Sydney games and building a new life for himself Down Under.

That new life included a new sport. Since transitioning to MMA, Lombard has overcome a pair of early-career losses to Akihiro Gono and Gegard Mousasi to go on a ridiculous 25-fight unbeaten streak -- 20 of those wins came inside the distance -- that was marred only by a draw against Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight Kyle Noke. A violent and concussive run as the Bellator MMA middleweight champion led to a lucrative free-agent offer from the UFC. Going 1-2 at middleweight in his first three UFC bouts convinced Lombard to drop to 170 pounds, where he has since demolished respected veterans Nate Marquardt and Jake Shields to secure a spot in the division’s top 10.

Now 36 and likely nearing the end of his prime, Lombard might have one more run at gold left in him. His combination of freakish athleticism, brutal power and the occasional flashes of his world-class judo make him a terrifying contender for the crown.

Number 9 » Yoel Romero