"Look like a fighter" is how I describe to people what they think they want to look like. Most people are not interested in looking like a bodybuilder or an emaciated endurance athlete. But when I say look like -insert fighter name- their eyes light up. When you look at the training that a fighter puts in, it encompasses strength, cardio and limited endurance. It is very easy for me to build a strength program of complex multi-joint movements (Olympic lifts), intervals (hill runs) and 5km runs that they will stick to. Since it's different daily it becomes fun. This maximizes EPOC for fat loss and improves functional strength throughout the body.
Single joint machines are boring and really not all that benificial and day to day life does not require you to run for 3 hours.
The best way to accomplish this is to actually fight. Fighting encompasses everything that you workout for; cardio, strength, and endurance. I'd recommend Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. You have a good balance of stand up skills and ground skills. It's doing wonders for me, sans the bruises.
I agree fighting really is the best work out for you. I have played hockey since i was 2 years old and yes that has always been an incredible work out. But once i started training in Ninjutsu okanowan karate and judo i felt burns in muscles i had know idea i had. Best shape of my life and my goal is to get about 20 to 25 lbs bigger and combine that with my knowledge of martial arts.