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Since the UFC gained popularity worldwide, many fighters have received lucrative offers to transition to other forms of sports and entertainment. Meanwhile, WWE superstars like Brock Lesnar and CM Punk have tried their luck in the octagon.
The move from the octagon to WWE’s squared circle has been very appealing for some of the promotion’s biggest names. A move to pro wrestling, especially with a company like WWE, offers fighters the ability to continue growing their brand. They can put themselves in a position to not go through the day-to-day grind of training camp anymore.
Each fighter is different, so it’s a great idea to have plans in place for when their fighting career is over. Although WWE is tough on the performer’s bodies, the wrestlers dictate which maneuvers they can perform safely. This list will look at 5 UFC fighters that transitioned to WWE.
#5. UFC Hall of Famer Dan Severn
Former UFC superfight champion Dan Severn was one of the first to transition to WWE in the 1990s. While being among the top fighters during the promotion’s early years, he decided to move to pro wrestling.
‘The Beast’s transition to WWE was much different than other fighters. He wrestled with the NWA and was brought into the company as part of their invasion storyline. He was the reigning NWA world champion and, at the same time, continued competing in MMA. This is even more impressive because he still had a winning record while splitting time between the two.
Severn’s WWE tenure lasted from 1997 to 1999. However, his booking was puzzling as there were plenty of missed opportunities. Instead of pairing him with his former foe Ken Shamrock, he was involved in many secondary feuds. Severn’s only brief program with ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Man’ came when he was inserted in his feud with Owen Hart.
#4. Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez shocked the MMA world when he made his WWE debut in 2019. He hadn’t officially announced his retirement from the sport following his loss to Francis Ngannou, which made his debut a surprise.
It was a milestone night for the WWE as it was their first episode of SmackDown on Fox. The company signed a massive deal to move its second-longest running show to Friday night on a major network. They pulled off all the stops that night as they brought many legends including 'The Rock' back for a special appearance.
Velasquez made his debut after Brock Lesnar defeated Kofi Kingston in the main event to become the new WWE champion. 'The Beast Incarnate’ was reintroduced to the man that defeated him to become heavyweight champion 9-years prior. Despite not having a long WWE tenure, he still wrestled Lesnar in one of the headliners at WWE Crown Jewel.
#3. Former UFC Ultimate Fighter alum Matt Riddle
Before making a name for himself in the WWE, Matt Riddle fought his way into the UFC through The Ultimate Fighter. He made quite an impression on TUF by winning his opening bout with a devastating knockout.
Following TUF season 7, Riddle earned a contract by winning his bout against Dante Rivera on the finale. He went on to have a respectable 8-3-2 record, with the two no-contests after testing positive for cannabis. He was on the verge of climbing the promotion’s welterweight ranks prior to his release.
After a few years honing his craft on the indy wrestling circuit, he signed with the WWE. ‘The King of the Bros’ made his WWE debut in 2018, and joined their third brand: NXT. Riddle immediately became a fan favorite and can now be seen every Monday night on WWE Raw.
Riddle has had a great WWE career so far. He has won several titles during his time on Raw and NXT, and he seems set to become a main event star soon.
#2. UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock
UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock was the first big star to join the WWE. The former superfight champion took a considerable risk and joined WWE while he was in the prime of his career.
Shamrock served as the special guest referee for the ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart at WrestleMania 13. He brought legitimacy to the No Holds Barred match as he came from the world of Ultimate Fighting. During his WWE tenure, he achieved a lot and is instrumental in creating a pathway for other fighters to follow suit.
Some of his accomplishments in WWE include intercontinental champion, tag team champion, and 1998 King of the Ring. He was also part of a memorable feud with 'The Rock', who became the biggest star in Hollywood. In fact, 'The Rock' later inducted Shamrock into the IMPACT Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2020.
#1. UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey
UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey has been the biggest star to join WWE. After back-to-back losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes, she decided to walk away from MMA and transition to pro wrestling. The former women’s bantamweight champion joined the company at the 2018 Royal Rumble event after the first-ever women’s Royal Rumble match.
‘Rowdy’ immediately became a focal point in WWE's programming, and it wasn’t long before she became WWE Raw women’s champion. She was a part of WWE history in 2019, when she main evented WrestleMania, along with Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch. This was a milestone as it was the first women’s match to main event the company's biggest event of the year.
After a two-year hiatus, Rousey returned to WWE as a surprise entrant in this year’s women’s Royal Rumble match. She won the match and could main event WrestleMania for the second time in her career.
