Mixed martial arts and pro-wrestling are two forms of sports-entertainment that are entwined for better or for worse. Despite the obvious differences between the two, you know with one being scripted, and the other being completely and utterly real, there are a lot of occasions where the two get clumped together.
It's not without good reason, though, as there is a dramatic element to both MMA and pro-wrestling and at the end of the day, it's about people trying to impose their physical will upon their opponents. Another aspect which pushes this notion is the similarity between MMA fighters and pro-wrestlers.
You can easily look at an MMA fighter and think "Hey, he reminds of that dude from the WWE", and vice-versa. And this is why we are here today to explore the fighters and wrestlers who remind us of each other.
So, without further ado, here are 5 MMA fighters and their WWE counterparts:
#5 Frankie Edgar and Sami Zayn
Frankie Edgar is one of the most beloved fighters in the UFC today. The Featherweight has been an excellent MMA fighter for years on end now and has made a reputation for being the lovable underdog who does his best and tries to come out on top no matter what the odds are.
Sami Zayn is one of the most beloved wrestlers in the WWE today. He has been an excellent wrestler for years on end now and has made a reputation for being the lovable underdog who does his best and tries to come out on top no matter what the odds are. Sounds familiar?
Edgar and Zayn are part of that rare breed of people who can get fans to root for them just because of the amount of hard work they put in and the love they have for their respective career choices. It is for this reason that The Underdog from the Underground is the perfect counterpart to The Answer.
#4 Dominick Cruz and John Cena
Dominick Cruz is a bonafide legend in the world of MMA. The former UFC Bantamweight Champion has suffered only two losses in a storied career that has spanned over a decade. With an incredible record of 22-2, there is little doubt that Dominick Cruz is bound for the UFC Hall of Fame.
John Cena is one of the most well-known pro-wrestlers in the world today. Recently equalling the great Ric Flair's record of 16 Word Titles, it is just a matter of time before Cena surpasses the mark to enter a league all of his own. For all his contributions to the WWE, there is no doubt he will be in the Hall of Fame when he calls time on his careers.
The similarity between Cruz and Cena come from the fact that they are not only amongst the most dominant people in their respective careers but that they are also crowd favourites who have established themselves as the faces of their companies are genuinely great guys who never make excuses.
And also, they both have a long-running rivalry which should have been put to bed a long time ago – Cruz with Urijah Faber and Cena with Randy Orton. Which nicely brings us to the next entries on our list...
#3 Urijah Faber and Randy Orton
Urijah Faber is a great MMA fighter but one who is always destined to be in the shadow of Dominick Cruz. The California Kid has enjoyed a storied career, but being part of the same generation has Cruz has cost him. Constantly compared to The Dominator, Faber has fallen short on a number of occasions against his rival, having won only one of their encounters.
Randy Orton suffers the same fate. The Viper is sure to go down as a future Hall of Famer, but being from the same era as Cena will ensure that he is always second-best when it comes to discussions between the two. Orton, like Faber against Cruz, has enjoyed minimal success against Cena on the grand stage.
Faber and Orton also play the roles of anti-heroes and villains when compared to the good guy image portrayed by Cruz and Cena. Their’s is a story of always being second-best.
#2 Georges St. Pierre and Bret Hart
George St. Pierre is possibly the best technical MMA fighter of all-time. In an incredible career that saw him retire as the UFC Welterweight Champion, there are few fighters who can ever match GSP inside the octagon.
Bret Hart is possible the best technical wrestler of all-time. A superb wrestler who won multiple championships and put on some of the greatest wrestling matches the world has ever seen. There are few wrestlers who can ever match The Hitman inside the squared circle.
Both Rush and The Excellence of Execution are Canadian icons and have had numerous issues with the promotions that made them famous – GSP with the UFC and Hart with the WWE.
They are both the very best in their field, loved around the world for their exploits, true gentlemen inside and outside the Octagon, and Canadians who made a name for themselves in the United States.
#1 Conor McGregor and AJ Styles
Brash, cocky, and quite possibly the best in the world today. Dominated all around the world before coming to the biggest promotion in the game. Going on to dominate in the promotion to become World Champion and have one of the best years of his life professionally.
I could be talking about Conor McGregor or AJ Styles as what I just said above applies to both. McGregor and Styles had the best 2016 in the UFC and WWE respectively and there is little doubt why.
They are both amongst the best in the world in their crafts, they are both cocky and arrogant but boast the skill to back it up. They should be booed for their antics but are universally loved, instead. Simply put, they are the ones at the top of the mountain in MMA and pro-wrestling.
The Notorious One and The Phenomenal One are the elite level counterparts of each other.
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