A man before his time: Why Dan Hodge would have dominated the UFC

Dan Hodge may very well be the most unique combat sports athlete in history. As an amateur wrestler, he won three consecutive NCAA titles, four AAU wrestling titles and a silver medal at the 1956 Olympics. He took up boxing and in 1958 he won the Chicago Golden Gloves and then Intercity Golden Gloves titles. Hall-of-famers Emile Griffith and Jose Torres also won Intercity titles that year. His amateur boxing record was 17-0 with 12 knockouts. He launched a pro boxer career and had a 7-2 record, retiring after a loss to top-ranked heavyweight Nino Valdez. Dan once fought on the same card as Sonny Liston. After his boxing career, Hodge turned to professional wresting and enjoyed a long career. He is enshrined in both the amateur and professional wrestling Halls of Fame. The Dan Hodge Trophy is given out each year to the NCAA’s outstanding collegiate wrestler, it is their equivalent to the Heisman Trophy. #danhodge #Perry #oklahoma #perryoklahoma #iowa #iowawrestling