Since making his professional MMA debut in 2009, heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder has compiled an impressive record of 33-0, with 32 of those wins coming by way of knockout.
A bronze medalist at the 2008 Olympics, Wilder turned to MMA after failing to make the U.S. Olympic boxing team and has never looked back. While Wilder has never competed in the UFC, he is considered one of the top heavyweight MMA fighters in the world.
In this article, we will take a look at Deontay Wilder’s MMA career and analyze how his skills have translated from the boxing ring to the cage. We will also discuss some of Wilder’s most impressive wins and highlight why he is one of the top heavyweight MMA fighters in the world.
Deontay Wilder’s Early Life
Deontay Wilder was born on October 22, 1985, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. A gifted athlete, Wilder excelled in both football and basketball in high school. After graduating from high school, Wilder attended Shelton State Community College, where he continued to play football and basketball.
In 2005, Wilder transferred to the University of Alabama, where he continued playing both sports. A walk-on for the football team, Wilder played varsity as a defensive lineman in 2005 and 2006. However, after sustaining an injury early in the 2006 season, Wilder decided to pursue his basketball career full time.
When did Deontay Wilder Start Boxing?
Since making his professional debut in February of 2008, Deontay Wilder has compiled an impressive record of 33-0, with 32 of those wins coming by way of knockout.
A decorated amateur boxer, Wilder claimed the bronze medal for the United States at the 2008 Olympics and turned to MMA after failing to make the U.S. Olympic boxing team.
Wilder’s Amateur Boxing Career Highlights
– Three-time Golden Gloves Champion (2007, 2008 and 2009)
– Bronze Medalist at the 2007 World Championships
– Gold medal winner at the 2005 Junior Olympics
– Under 18 National Champion in 2004 and 2005
How Deontay Wilder Became a Heavyweight Champion
On January 17, 2015, Deontay Wilder faced Bermane Stiverne for the WBC heavyweight championship. In a bout that lasted only three rounds, Wilder knocked out Stiverne to become the new WBC heavyweight champion.
Since then, Wilder has successfully defended his title twice, most recently knocking out Luis Ortiz in the 10th round in March of 2016.
Deontay Wilder’s MMA Training Routine
To prepare for his matches, Wilder trains under the guidance of Alan Benton at the Tuscaloosa Regional gym in Alabama. According to Benton, Wilder often begins training at 5:45 AM and continues until 2:00 PM, with a break for lunch.
In addition to his boxing training, Wilder also trains in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
How Deontay Wilder’s Boxing Skills Translate to MMA
While Wilder has never competed in the UFC, he is considered one of the top heavyweight MMA fighters in the world. Thanks to his tremendous punching power, Wilder is able to overwhelm his opponents in both boxing and MMA.
In addition to having knockout power, Wilder has shown that he is able to knock out opponents with only a few punches. This was evident during his fight with Eric Molina in 2015, when Wilder knocked him down three times in the first round, eventually winning by knockout.
Conclusion
Deontay Wilder will likely not compete in the UFC, as he is an extremely valuable fighter for Showtime and Premier Boxing Champions.
However, with his powerful boxing skills and impressive knockout power, Wilder’s future looks bright. With a strong work ethic and dedication to his training routine, it is possible that we will see Wilder continue to knock out his opponents for years to come.
