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WWE is no stranger to the world of legitimate combat sports. Over the years, Vince McMahon's promotion has played host to some of the biggest names in the world from both boxing and Mixed Martial Arts.
Names such as Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather, Evander Holyfield, and Mike Tyson have all crossed over from the boxing ring to make appearances for WWE in the past.
More recently, current WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury actually competed in a WWE ring when t on Braun Strowman at Crown Jewel 2019 in Saudi Arabia.
These boxing crossovers, though, have tended to be brief cameo appearances. It is with athletes from elsewhere in the combat sports space that WWE has found its greatest long-term successes.
The world of MMA has produced many athletes who have transitioned well to sports entertainment. For example, former UFC titleholders Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey have each headlined WrestleMania after retiring from the Octagon.
Elsewhere, current RAW Superstar Riddle competed in the UFC for several years before making the move to professional wrestling, as did Shayna Baszler. Reigning United States Champion Bobby Lashley also has professional MMA experience, having put together a 15-2 record as a fighter between 2008 and 2016.
The UFC Hall of Fame even includes a former WWE Intercontinental Champion, with MMA pioneer Ken Shamrock enjoying a reign in 1998. Shamrock is also a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion and continues to wrestle for IMPACT Wrestling to this day.
History has shown that WWE is a very realistic destination for combat sports personalities who want to showcase their athleticism and charisma in a different environment.
As the release of two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez proved last year, though, not every fighter is destined to make the grade in WWE. However, here are five combat sports athletes that would almost certainly be a hit if they were to join WWE.
#5 Former two-division UFC Champion Daniel Cormier has made no secret of his desire to one day compete in WWE
Now working as an announcer for UFC following his retirement last year, Daniel Cormier is a lifelong fan of WWE.
'DC' enjoys the WWE product so much that he even gave his picks for WrestleMania last year as part of a segment on the podcast he co-hosts alongside MMA journalist Ariel Helwani.
A move to WWE is certainly something that appeals to Cormier. He revealed last year that he was asked to play a role in the promotion for Cain Velasquez's WWE Championship match against Brock Lesnar in October 2019. Unfortunately, Cormier - who was still an active fighter at the time - could not find a window in his schedule, and plans were scrapped.
A UFC titleholder at both Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight during his career, Cormier was, at one point, scheduled to face Lesnar inside the Octagon. That too did not pan out, but DC could still get it on with 'The Beast Incarnate' if he were to join WWE.
A former Olympic wrestler, Cormier undoubtedly possesses the technical skills to give himself a great shot at succeeding in the professional ranks. The former UFC Heavyweight Champion also has the charisma to make himself an instant attraction in WWE, particularly to fans who are familiar with him from his time in UFC.
Although he turns 42 next month, Cormier still has an opportunity to fulfill a childhood dream with WWE. If he were to do so, it would make for a very intriguing prospect.
#4 Unified boxing Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua intends to follow in Muhammad Ali's footsteps by appearing in WWE
Heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua is another big name fighter who has teased making the jump to WWE.
When asked in an interview if he would ever consider the move, 'AJ' was emphatic in his response.
"That’s a great question! I’m gonna do WWE, because that’s what Muhammad Ali done. So I’m gonna do WWE!" said Anthony Joshua.
The legendary Muhammad Ali served as a Special Guest Referee for the main event of WrestleMania 1. However, Joshua is a monster of a man who is at his athletic peak. The 31-year-old is likely to want to do far more inside the ring than simply be an official.
This is especially true as his arch-rival and fellow Heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, has competed in an official match for WWE.
Joshua and Fury are expected to meet inside the boxing ring later this year to settle their differences. Once that piece of business is taken care of, though, Joshua could look to make his WWE dream a reality.
A match involving reigning WWE Champion Drew McIntyre in some form would make a lot of sense, particularly if both men still hold major titles. The two Brits either squaring off against one another or even forming a tag team is a sure-fire way for WWE to generate some serious mainstream publicity around the world, especially in the UK.
McIntyre has already backed Joshua to defeat Fury on social media in the past, meaning there is already a storyline foundation in place for an alliance.
With that said, anything that Joshua is involved in for WWE would be a great spectacle. The promotion's long-standing association with the sport of boxing looks set to live on.
#3 Former UFC star Paige VanZant has stated she would be open to a move to WWE
Former UFC Flyweight contender Paige VanZant recently admitted that she could see herself being a part of WWE in the future.
In an interview with Chris Van Vliet, VanZant explained that she believed her skill set would translate well to professional wrestling.
"I get asked about WWE a lot… I think it would be something I’d be very good at. Because I have the best of both worlds. I was a Dancer, I used to like the entertainment and showmanship side of it… and then the combat sports world, obviously goes into the WWE. But I don’t know that it’s something I could do, both at the same time. I feel like I would want to do that 100 percent. So maybe it’s something that after I’m done fighting in a cage and in a ring, that kind of stuff, maybe I’ll go over to there. But we’ll see, the door’s definitely open." said VanZant.
'12 Gauge' went on to tell Van Vliet that she had already made a visit to the WWE Performance Center to check out the training facilities on offer.
"There is definitely a path. And communication is actually there sometimes, so we’re able to communicate and show our interests with each other. Once there’s a little more free time in my schedule, I think that’s something I would really like to pursue… Yes, I have visited their campus… the Performance Center, because it’s up in Orlando, so I was able to go visit and look around and get a sense of what it’s all about." said VanZant.
VanZant may not have had the best run inside the UFC Octagon, but will never be accused of being afraid of a challenge. The 26-year-old finished up her nine-fight stint with UFC in July last year with a 5-4 record but swiftly took the decision to sign with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships and continue her combat sports journey.
VanZant was defeated in her debut fight for BKFC, but her willingness to try her hand in a new arena certainly bodes well for a transition to WWE.
At just 26, VanZant is the youngest athlete included on this list. Fellow former MMA stars Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler both made their professional wrestling switches after their 30th birthdays, meaning that VanZant still has plenty of time to carve out a WWE career for herself.
Having already appeared on the US version of Dancing With The Stars, VanZant is also well versed in playing to a large audience and her previous combat sports experience suggests that she will be well up to the physical demands of competing in WWE.
For now, Paige VanZant seems focused on continuing to compete in bareknuckle boxing. However, once that chapter of her career draws to a close, VanZant could be a very interesting project for WWE.
#2 Former Strikeforce headliner (and big-name actress) Gina Carano could still make a major impact in WWE
Gina Carano to WWE? Stranger things have happened.
Before Carano made her name as an actress starring in films such as Haywire, Deadpool, and Fast & Furious 6, she was a pioneer for women in the sport of MMA.
Carano, nicknamed 'Conviction' during her fighting career, competed in just eight professional MMA bouts. However, the American made quite an impact during her short run in combat sports.
In just her fourth fight, Carano squared off with Julie Kedzie in the now-defunct Elite XC promotion. The bout, which Carano won via unanimous decision, was broadcast live on Showtime in the US - the first time a women's MMA fight had been shown on cable television.
Carano was a hit with the audience too. Long before Ronda Rousey's popularity opened up doors for females in the sport, Carano was charming fans with her unique mix of beauty and athleticism, something that reportedly did not go unrecognized by WWE at the time either.
More victories followed for Carano - and she built her mainstream profile up with each one. By the time Carano was beaten by MMA legend Cris Cyborg in August 2009 in a challenge for the Strikeforce Women's Featherweight Championship, she already had numerous offers for outside work, including movies.
Put simply, Gina Carano no longer needed MMA. She never fought again after her loss to Cyborg, leaving the sport with a 7-1 record.
Of course, Carano is now much more widely known for playing Cara Dune in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian. Carano was recently let go by producers of the show due to several controversial posts on social media.
Despite the media storm that Carano has been a part of over the past few months, she still has many attributes that WWE can capitalize on. For one, her name recognition - even given the circumstances - has never been greater.
More importantly, though, from an actual in-ring standpoint, Carano has years of both acting and professional combat sports experience to call upon if she were to perform in WWE.
It is hard to imagine Carano not excelling in professional wrestling if she has the time and desire to apply herself in the same way that others before her have done.
There is a ready-made storyline in place for Carano too - if she was to become part of WWE. Sasha Banks made it known (before Carano's exit from The Mandalorian) that she would happily face the former MMA star in a WWE ring. A huge match, assuming WWE could make it happen.
#1 UFC pay-per-view king Conor McGregor would no doubt be a huge success in WWE
Conor McGregor is, without a doubt, a man that WWE would love to have on board. The numbers speak for themselves. The Irishman is the biggest single pay-per-view attraction on the face of the planet right now.
A self-confessed fan of WWE in his younger years, McGregor is renowned for his ruthless trash-talking style and would fit in perfectly in the world of sports entertainment.
While some on this list have possible feuds if they were to join WWE, McGregor has already previously called out the entire WWE roster!
Many WWE Superstars were unimpressed by McGregor's statement at the time, including current Universal Champion Roman Reigns.
Realistically, McGregor is not likely to ever work anything approaching a full WWE schedule, meaning that he might struggle to come through on his vow.
However, just seeing The Notorious One confront some of the promotion's bigger personalities would be must-see programming.
Of course, WWE also has some of its own stars from the Emerald Isle who would surely be keen to welcome the former two-division UFC Champion to the WWE in their own way too.
Whether as friend or foe, interaction with Sheamus would be a logical fit for McGregor - and the same applies to WWE's top female Superstar, Becky Lynch.
Conor McGregor is such a big star that he only needs to make a select few appearances for WWE to make a major difference for the company. The biggest name in combat sports would be a massive 'get' for Vince McMahon's promotion.
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