There has been a recent trend of MMA fighters wanting to cross over to the world of professional wrestling.
Ronda Rousey is about to defend her WWE Raw Women’s Championship again at the Royal Rumble, reigning since August 19, 2018. Shayna Baszler is the current NXT women’s champion, and the first to hold the belt twice. Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir signed developmental contracts with the WWE and debuted recently, and Matt Riddle has officially made his presence known in NXT. We’ve also seen former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez training at the WWE Performance Center.
Not every fighter is able to make a successful crossover from MMA to pro wrestling. In order to be considered the total package in the WWE, it’s evident that you must have great mic skills. Many of those who succeed in the WWE, cut great promos and are able to engage with the fans.
Here are the fighters that we feel could make successful crossovers to the WWE:
MMA Fighters that could be Pro Wrestlers
There have been many professional wrestlers turn MMA fighters and there have been even more fighters turn pro wrestlers. Combat sports has never been more mainstream until today and many people are looking to further their legacies in new promotions, learning new move arsenals. With the recent success of WWE Raw women's champion Ronda Rousey, we've complied a list of MMA fighters that could also have successful runs with the WWE if they ever wanted to make the switch.
Jose Torres
Shorty has one of the best personalities in the flyweight division and on social media. Although his time with the UFC was short, he has a great smile and persona that could fit very well with the WWE Universe. Former two-division champion in Titan FC, the 125-pound scrapper is now on his way to Brave Combat Federation as a commentator and fighter. 205 Live is in need of some exciting fighters and they could have their first, if he ever decided to make the switch to pro wrestling.
Eric Spicely
Spicely was on the UFC's Ultimate Fighter before joining the organization and was able to share his story with the world. The east coast fighter has since won and lost in the Octagon, before being released by the organization. Most recently, Spicely was seen as one of the recent potential WWE recruits from the Performance Center tryouts in Orlando, Florida and we could see why he was named a standout. Spicely has trained with current WWE NXT Superstar, Oney Lorcan, and could easily fit in with the big guys over in the squared circle with his MMA experience. Spicely could very well be the next UFC fighter turned WWE wrestler.
Sage Northcutt
Northcutt could be one of the WWE's biggest face superstars, if he were to ever make the switch to professional wrestling. He is still young and he has also been a stunt double for many actors in the past, so he has a variety of moves in his arsenal. If you follow Northcutt on social media, you would have seen many videos of him doing some of the best flips and tricks. He could easily be a fan favorite and one of the most humble people to ever join the WWE roster.
Demetrious Johnson
Mighty Mouse has a huge following in the gamers community. He was also ranked as the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world at one point, breaking Anderson Silva's title defense record. Johnson could be a huge draw in the WWE with his fun personality and creative fighting ways. Once he's done with ONE Championship, Demetrious should consider a run at the WWE where flyweights would be welcomed in multiple divisions.
Paige VanZant
When 12 Gauge made her debut in the UFC, she was destined for stardom and UFC gold. Although PVZ has yet to accomplish championship status, she's extremely popular and has even competed on Dancing with the Stars. If VanZant wanted to take her talents to the WWE, not only would she be successful, she'd be welcomed by the company due to her popularity, personality and fighting abilities. Paige makes her return to the Octagon in January, from there we'll be able to see what's destined for the recently married 125-pound killer.
Colby Covington
Covington has some experience with pro wrestling with his short stint on Impact Wrestling before his UFC popularity began. His character in the UFC has started to develop as a Dan Bilzerian-like, trash-talking Trump supporter and he's recently made more enemies than friends in the fight game. If Colby wanted his shot at WWE stardom, he could easily bring his hate train to the squared circle and become one of the companies biggest heels. Not only is he great on the mic, he has an extensive wrestling background as a NCAA athlete for Oregon State that could prove lethal as a pro wrestler.
Daniel Cormier
Cormier was supposed to try out for a commentator position with the WWE before his fight with Derrick Lewis. Whether Cormier joins the promotion as a commentator or a wrestler, he could have a successful run with the WWE. With talks of retirement on the horizon, the current heavyweight champion could meet Lesnar in WWE if Lesnar decides not to return to the UFC. Cormier knows how to speak well on the mic and could be a big draw for the promotion as the second Champ Champ in UFC history.
Conor McGregor
The Notorious one is known as the best trash-talker in UFC history. Along with his star power and larger than life personality, McGregor would be the perfect fit for a WWE run in the future. With the recent success of Ireland's Becky Lynch, we could see Conor debut with the promotion as early as next year with a potential WrestleMania appearance. McGregor could have an extremely successful run with the WWE, once he decides to hang up his MMA gloves and join Ronda Rousey and Brock Lesnar as a UFC and WWE champion, promoting Proper 12 in the squared circle while cutting another large check.
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