For professional athletes, it quite literally pays to take care of yourself. After all, it’s your livelihood. If your body breaks down and you can no longer perform, that’s it, show’s over. It doesn’t matter how talented you are if you can’t play.
Some athletes overcome seemingly endless physical and mental obstacles to push harder and keep showing up. Whether it’s in football, basketball, MMA, or even bull riding, there is a certain set of athletes who defy limitations and rise up to the tops of their professions. This is a group of athletes who refuse to stop until they reach their goals. These are the 12 Pound-for-Pound Hardest Athletes in the World.