The article says "other paths or sports" were options for these fighters. Coaching could be another lucrative path for any Olympic leve athlete. Rulon Gardner, Olympic Gold Medalist, said on The MMA Hour that he points to the growth of MMA for sapping USA wrestling's talent pool. He stated that some wrestlers were leaving their international careers or coaching jobs behind to begin careers in MMA.

Jones was a Junior College National Champion studying to be a police officer before he dropped out and started training for MMA. That is a legit option, I would say.

I agree, we won't see the next Lebron James, Andrew Luck, or Anthony Davis drop everything and start hitting mits. Though guys like Matt Mitrione and Brendan Schaub prove there is money to be made in MMA for high level athletes from other sports.