Weight classes exist in MMA for a reason. Every combat sport has divisions based on weight, ensuring that fighters compete against opponents of similar size and strength. However, even with weight classes in place, it's important to remember that professional martial artists are highly skilled and dangerous, regardless of their size.

In 2018, Shaquille O'Neal had a firsthand experience of this when he visited the UFC performance institute for an episode of The Big Chicken series. The retired NBA legend, known for his formidable stature and dominance on the basketball court, was about to learn a valuable lesson.

During his visit, Shaq confidently proclaimed, "I would never get strangled by a girl." Little did he know what awaited him. UFC president Dana White, always up for a bit of fun, decided to challenge Shaq's assertion.

Dana introduced Shaq to Forrest Griffin, a legendary UFC fighter with an impressive 19-7 record. The challenge was simple: one round of grappling for 5 minutes. If Shaq could successfully defend against Griffin, he would then face Claudia Gadelha, the #3 ranked strawweight fighter.

Emboldened by his size advantage, Shaq eagerly accepted the challenge.

"Forest, you are not stepping into the octagon; you are stepping into the Shaq-tagon. It's gonna be a rumble," he boasted. But little did he know what was in store for him.

As the grappling began, Shaq quickly realized that his size advantage wasn't as significant as he had assumed. Griffin used his years of training to defend against Shaq's attempts to take him down. Despite Shaq's best efforts, Griffin managed to hold his own until time ran out.

Exhausted from the grappling session, Shaq lay on the floor of the octagon, catching his breath. However, his respite was short-lived. Out of nowhere, Claudia Gadelha launched a surprise attack on the helpless giant.

With lightning speed, Gadelha snuck up on Shaq and wrapped her legs around his neck in a rare neck choke. Shaq, with no room for escape, quickly tapped out, conceding defeat. It was a humbling experience for the NBA legend.

"I don't think I'll be spending much more time in the octagon. I need some icy hot," Shaq admitted, acknowledging his newfound respect for the sport and its fighters.

Interestingly, this was not Shaq's first encounter with the UFC. Before retiring from basketball, he had expressed his desire to be part of the organization. In fact, he even appeared in the first season of Ultimate Fighter.

Shaq's connection with the UFC runs deeper than most people realize.

While weight classes serve an essential purpose in combat sports, Shaq's experience reminded us that skill and technique often outweigh size and strength. It's a lesson that he won't soon forget, as his encounter with the UFC left a lasting impression on the towering star.

So, the next time you're tempted to underestimate a professional fighter, just remember Shaq's tap-out in the octagon. It's a lesson in humility that can save you from underestimating the power and skill of martial artists.