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UFC and professional wrestling have a long history with each other. Some of the greatest mixed martial artists in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship have crossed over into the realm of sports entertainment.
Likewise, there are also professional wrestlers who have crossed over into the world of mixed martial arts. Names such as Ronda Rousey, Brock Lesnar, Riddle and CM Punk have all competed in both UFC and professional wrestling.
Since its inception in 2019, AEW has seen many cameos from current and former UFC fighters on television. With that in mind, let's take a closer look at five UFC fighters that have shown up in AEW.
#5. Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Vitor Belfort
Vitor Belfort is a legend of the mixed martial arts game. He is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and also holds records for the most knockouts and most first-round finishes in the promotion's history.
After a mixed martial arts career that consisted of 41 fights, 26 victories, 14 losses and one no-contest, Vitor Belfort announced his MMA retirement. His decision came after his loss to Lyoto Machida at UFC 224 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2018.
Belfort appeared on the May 27, 2020, episode of AEW Dynamite on TNT. The UFC legend was a member of boxing icon 'Iron' Mike Tyson's entourage as they interrupted Chris Jericho and The Inner Circle faction.
After Jericho and Tyson exchanged words, a brawl erupted between both The Inner Circle and Tyson's entourage, including Vitor Belfort, to close the show. Le Champion and the boxing icon would later make amends on AEW Dynamite in 2021.
#4. UFC 'BMF' Champion Jorge Masvidal
UFC 'BMF' Championship holder Jorge Masvidal is one of the most recognizable names in the world of mixed martial arts.
The Miami, Florida native currently boasts a record of 50 fights with 35 victories and 15 losses. Masvidal also holds the record for the fastest knockout in UFC history. He put Ben Askren to sleep in 5 seconds at UFC 239 in what was an incredible moment.
Jorge Masvidal appeared on the AEW Dynamite: Road Rager episode on TNT on July 7th, 2021. Masvidal appeared at ringside with fellow UFC fighter Amanda Nunes and American Top Team founder and owner Dan Lambert.
The segment ended with Lambert being attacked by AEW wrestler Lance Archer who hit him with his finisher The Blackout.
#3. Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski
Dan Lambert returned to All Elite Wrestling several weeks later after being attacked by Lance Archer.
This time, Lambert brought some back up. The American Top Team founder was flanked by former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski. 'The Pitbull' is a veteran of mixed martial arts. Competing in 53 fights, Arlovski boasts a record of 31 victories and 20 losses with two no contests.
Andrei Arlovski became the UFC Heavyweight Champion in June 2005 after defeating Justin Eilers at UFC 53. For this win, he initially defended an interim title. His success led to him being promoted to undisputed champ status.
#2. Former UFC Bantamweight & Flyweight Champion Henry Cejudo
Retired UFC fighter Henry Cejudo made history in June 2019 when he defeated Marlon Moraes at UFC 238 to capture the vacant UFC Bantamweight Championship. Already the reigning Flyweight Champion, Cejudo made history by becoming the fourth fighter to hold championships simultaneously in separate weight divisions.
Cejudo defeated Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 to retain the UFC Bantamweight Championship in May 2020. After the fight, Cejudo announced his retirement from professional fighting.
Just weeks later, Henry Cejudo accompanied boxing legend 'Iron' Mike Tyson in his brawl with Chris Jericho and The Inner Circle on AEW Dynamite.
#1. Current UFC Women's Bantamweight & Featherweight Champion Amanda Nunes
Amanda Nunes is widely regarded as the greatest female mixed martial artist in Ultimate Fighting Championship history.
Nunes currently holds both the UFC Women's Bantamweight and UFC Women's Featherweight titles simultaneously. She made history when she became the first woman in UFC history to win two championships in separate divisions and hold them at the same time.
Amanda Nunes is also the first fighter in UFC history to actively defend championships in two separate divisions whilst holding them simultaneously.
Nunes, along with the aforementioned Jorge Masvidal, accompanied American Top Team founder and owner Dan Lambert on the AEW Dynamite: Road Rager episode on TNT in July.
