Shaquille O'Neal to Become MMA Fighter?

Is there anything the big man can't do? Shaquille O'Neal has been an all-star NBA basketball player, rapper, actor, reserve officer, twitter fanatic, and broadcaster. You can very soon add MMA fighter to the list.

In a recent video, after an MMA training session, O'Neal talked trash to a Chuck Liddell cutout and later challenged 7-foot-2 giant Hong Man Choi to an MMA-type match after he retires in a year or two. Hong Man Choi is the one who knocked out former baseball player Jose Canseco in the first minute of the first round. O'Neal kept asking the camera if he looks like Jose Canseco to Hong Man Choi.

This fight might not sound as far fetched as one may think. When Canseco took the MMA fight, it was a publicity stunt to get people talking about him again and no one really gave him a chance. Canseco had little to no training coming into the fight. On the other hand, Shaq has been training in MMA with trainer Jon Burke for a couple of years now and would size up well against the giant. Shaq's playing weight is 325 pounds and is 7-foot-1. Choi may hold the experience advantage but Shaq would have a significant advantage in quickness and elusiveness.

Watching over the Canseco vs. Choi fight, Canseco was doing well early, landing overhand rights and jabbing while moving. Canseco tried a leg kick and slipped down, and at that moment Choi pounced on him with the ground and pound with the referee stopping the fight. Choi has been fading his last few fights and may be past his prime. This might be the perfect time for Shaq to fight him. Choi might be the favorite in a fight like this but never doubt The Diesel.

Hong Man Choi's MMA record (2-2) and kickboxing record (12-6) are not that great and is more like a freak show than anything else. Choi has fought his whole MMA career in K-1 and most recently in DREAM. Hong Man Choi was on a five fight losing streak before beating Canseco. Choi has lost against elite fighters such as Mirko Cro Cop and Fedor Emelianenko. His best wins have been against Bob Sapp, Gary Goodridge, and Akebono.

If this fight is to happen in the future, they should put it on Pay Per View and milk it for all it's worth. A lot of people would be interested in this freak-fight and it would get the world buzzing.