NFL Player Jared Allen on Training in MMA

Add pass rushing specialist Jared Allen to the long list of professional athletes that have figured out the benefits of MMA training. You see, Allen trains with and sponsors Alex Karalexis, a former TUF 1 competitor. The bottom line on his MMA training?

He is "absolutely," a better football player because of it, noting in a Star Tribune article that some of the moves, as well as the cardio are quite helpful on the football field. And then there's the mindset of an MMA fighter.

"I have such a respect for fighters because, as an individual, you test how far you can push yourself," he said. "[It's] the art of pushing yourself to a wall and then saying, 'OK, I want to push myself past that wall.' Even though you don't know what's on the other side, you're going to jump over and see what your body can take. That whole concept, to me, is cool."

So will we someday see the NFL All Pro fight professionally? He says that it's a possiblity once his NFL career is over. For now, however, it appears he's content on having some of the best cardio on the football field.