When MMA started to gain popularity in the martial arts world, karate and other traditional styles were left by the wayside and deemed ineffective by the mainstream fanbase.
But as the years have gone on, styles like karate have rocketed back to relevancy thanks to guys like former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida. Utilizing his quick footwork, unorthodox fighting stance and karate-based strikes, Machida helped pioneer the use of this art in MMA.
Today, techniques used in karate are starting to be integrated into many fighters’ arsenals. More and more karate-based fighters are also making the leap into MMA and finding a great amount of success.
In the video above, Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Matt Juul breaks down the top five karate stylists in MMA today.
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