The eternal debate between die-hard fans that vouch for MMA over pro-wrestling, or vice versa, can be set aside when one truly begins to comprehend that the similarities that exist between the two spheres.
It was telling that the recently concluded UFC 205 Tickets On Sale Press Conference was attended by a handful of fighters, all of them clad smartly in formal attire and on their best corporate footing; a trend that was sparked off by none other than the Notorious Conor McGregor.
Even a year or two ago, that wouldn’t have been the case.
Today, thanks to the heights scaled by Conor McGregor – both monetarily and in terms of latitude and clout that he wields within the UFC – fighters have become acutely privy to the need of marketing themselves.
And that’s where the parallels begin to form between MMA and pro-wrestling.
There is no doubt that MMA fighters are immaculate athletes that can cope with the physical rigours of pro-wrestling (unless you factor in taking insane bumps like Mick Foley did) and a fair few of them seem to have embraced the marketing aspect of the sport as well.
Now, then, is as good a time as any for MMA fighters to cross over into the world of pro-wrestling and here are 5 UFC fighters that will tear it up in the WWE today.
#5 Michael Bisping
The recently crowned UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping fits into the persona of a ‘heel’ quite congruously. He is brash, quick of wit, extremely scathing and condescending with his remarks, and there was a time when the name ‘Bisping’ elicited an outpouring of scorn from whomsoever heard it.
However his recent knockout victory over former Champion Luke Rockhold, preceded by the defeat handed to the consensus greatest fighter of all time – Anderson Silva – has catalysed quite the change in Michael Bisping.
He has become far more comfortable in his skin and evolved into the most marketable face for the UFC in Europe. With his effervescent persona and now, the label of legitimacy appended to him with acquisition of the UFC Middleweight Title, one can’t help but feel that he would be a comfortable fit in the world of pro-wrestling.
#4 Daniel Cormier
The UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier has always been a self-professed pro-wrestling fanatic, whose public endorsement of the industry often ruffles the feathers of hardcore MMA purists.
Cormier, however, has never concealed his love for the squared circle and even makes multiple knowledgeable references during interviews, to the WWE and other pro-wrestling related topics.
However, his understanding of the internal machinations of the industry is not the only salient attribute that has earned him a spot on this list. Having represented the USA in the Olympics in wrestling, Cormier also possesses the necessary skill-set to excel inside of the ring.
It also certainly helps that Cormier is fluent on the microphone as well, what with his gig as an analyst and part-time commentator for Fox. There is no way a list of UFC fighters that can cut it in the WWE is complete, without mention of Daniel DC Cormier.
#3 Josh Barnett
There was talk even a while back that the WWE were looking to snap up Josh Barnett when his UFC contract was up, but those rumours were squashed when the former Heavyweight Champion extended his contract to stay in MMA.
Not that pro-wrestling would have been hard for him. Far from it.
Josh Barnett wrestled for the NJPW in the early 2000’s, challenging for the IWGP Heavyweight Title, and even worked as a commentator for them alongside none other than current WWE SmackDown’s play-by-play wizard, Mauro Ranallo.
When he faced off against Ben Rothwell in a recent UFC bout, his open workouts involved a pro-wrestling skit against a masked intruder that snuck up behind him, prompting the MMA world into a furore over whether he was hinting as possibly jumping ship again.
While he stayed course to check himself into line for a shot at the UFC Heavyweight Championship again, Josh Barnett would arguably be the most suited fighter in this list to pull off a stint in the WWE today.
#2 Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey is a lifelong fan of the WWE, and even made a roof-raising (had it been there) appearance at WrestleMania 31, when she teamed up with The Rock to lay the Smackdown on Stephanie McMahon and Triple H.
However since then, she has lost her UFC Bantamweight Title via brutal knockout to Holly Holm, and gone on a hiatus from the sport to re-gather her wits and reconfigure her gameplan.
With rumours surrounding her return to the Octagon later this year gathering momentum, 2017 could be the year where Ronda Rousey once again estbalishes her dominance over the Women’s MMA scene, and also segue into another possible appearance in the WWE.
Rousey’s marketability is off the charts, and with the respect and passion she has for the industry, a tie-up with the WWE would be huge for both entities.
#1 Conor McGregor
Could it be anyone else?
The UFC’s golden boy has transcended the sport in many respects, and is single-handedly dragging it into mainstream prominence in the absence of Ronda Rousey. While his charisma and trash-talk have spewed hushed comparisions with the late, great Muhammad Ali, his take-on-all-comers fighting style backs up the hype in the Octagon as well.
Amidst rumours that a possible super fight with Floyd Mayweather could materialise, Conor McGregor has certainly shown the willingness to transgress the boundaries of the UFC and experiment with other options that would land him a big paycheck.
And the WWE presents exactly that. Although McGregor has been vocal in his scathing criticism of the pro-wrestling industry, he also alluded to the fact that he may be interested in a cross-over appearance in the WWE should the money be right.
While it remains to be seen if he will follow up on that idea, it certainly earns him the top spot on our list of UFC fighters today that can tear it up in the WWE as well.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
