In the world of martial arts, there are many elite fighters. from Ali and Mayweather in boxing, McGregor in mixed martial arts, to the Gracie family in Brazilian jiu jitsu. Even in the entertainment outlets of combat sports with professional wrestling there are legends like Hogan and The Rock.
Within each distinct discipline, there are some who cross into new disciples. Conor McGregor vs Floyd Mayweather became the 2nd largest pay-per-view of all time in boxing with the cross discipline of boxing and mixed martial arts.
Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey would become global icons in MMA, professional wrestling and also amateur grappling.
However, a distinction that has remained untouched was not only practicing or competing in multiple disciples, but winning titles in multiple disciples.
Winning 3 distinct championships, or a triple champion, has occurred on a few occasions. However, a quadruple champion, or a grand slam champion is achieved when a fighter wins all of the following:
*Striking Championship
*Grappling Championship
*Wrestling Championship
*MMA Championship
in combat sports, this has remained unachieved… until recently.
Micah Ashby, an American-Irish fighter has achieved the combat sports grand slam championship. This is the first time recorded such a feat in sanctioned matches.
Ashby, best known as a MMA fighter, has won the Light Heavyweight Championship in True Force, a sparring/striking league, a tag team championship in professional wrestling, a world title in BJJ and most notably as the USO Champion in MMA.
Micah Ashby did retire in 2019, but made a return to fighting in 2024 for the World Games of Martial Arts for a boxing career. Ashby was inducted in the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2023 and remains a prominent figure in the underground and amateur MMA scene.