Is it true that being muscular doesn't necessarily mean you can fight?

That’s exactly what it means.

(Photo: Phil Heath. 7 times Mr. Olympia)

Now that’s out of the way, let me explain. Look at a Mr. Olympia. He’s as big as one gets. His muscles are all bursting out of his skin. He is dry (dehydrated) as a bone so his muscles are better defined. But he is neither the strongest nor the best fighter, pound for pound. He’s just the best specimen of a distorted beauty standard. No more, no less. It is what it is.

Now look at, the actual World’s Strongest Man.

(Photo: H. J. Björnsson. One time World’s Strongest Man)

Do you see veins popping up? Do you see every single muscle fiber? Do you see dehydration at all? Yes, he’s huge. Yes, he’s muscular. Yet, his body isn’t for show, but for performance.

Now, the fighter:

(Photo: Stipe Miocic. UFC Heavyweight Champion for 1372 days in total)

Now, this guy will beat the F out of both of those guys, for sure. But he can beat Phil Heath with his eyes blinded and both arms tied in his back. Björnsson may be a challenge, since he’s THE strongest men, but Björnsson isn’t a professional up f..er, Miocic is!

Now, there are many different types of fighters. Some look like jelly blobs. Some look like twigs. Yet, almost none of them look anything close to Phil Heath. Strength plays a major role in fighting of course, especially when too non-fighters throw hands. It also plays a role when professionals fight as well, but only if other aspects are similar.

(Photo: Fedor Emilianenko)

The Last Emperor is one of the most decorated fighters in MMA heavyweight history. He’s 183 cm (6′) and around 110 kg (242,5 lbs). You’d think he was a regular fatso if you’ve seen him in his regular outfit. Yet, there was NO ONE in the world who could beat him in his prime. Was he the strongest? No. Was he the best? Hell, yeah!

The bigger guy is about 190cm (about 6′3) and 122 kg (269 lbs) and not a fighter, at all!
The smaller guy is about 170cm (5′7) and 69 kg (150 lbs)