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There is a long history of UFC fighters entering the world of sports entertainment, specifically WWE.
Names such as Brock Lesnar, Ken Shamrock, Ronda Rousey, Matt Riddle and more have found great success in both mixed martial arts and professional wrestling, transitioning from combat sports to sports entertainment with relative ease.
Therefore, there is always a path available for UFC fighters to cross over to WWE should they wish. In recent years we have seen the likes of former UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez cross over from the UFC to WWE to compete in a professional wrestling match.
But, who could be some of the next UFC fighters to make the jump from MMA to WWE? Let's take a closer look at 5 UFC stars that could transition to WWE.
#5 Daniel Cormier
It's no secret that Daniel Cormier is a huge WWE fan. The UFC heavyweight fighter regularly posts his thoughts about WWE news and WWE pay per views on social media. Therefore, given his professional wrestling fandom, many members of the WWE Universe have assumed that a fighter with the name recognition and calibre of Daniel Cormier would be a natural fit in WWE once he decides to retire from the UFC.
WWE have even gone as far to have discussions with DC in the past about a future role with the promotion. Triple H has even gone as far to openly discuss the conversations he has had with Cormier, as well as potential positions that the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion could hold with WWE:
"I love Daniel (Cormier), we've obviously talked a lot in the past. We've had conversations about him doing stuff with us in the past whether that's in-ring or whether that's commentary or doing different things."
Two division UFC Champion
Daniel Cormier has had a glittering, hall of fame worthy career as a UFC fighter. DC is a former two-division world champion. By holding the UFC Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Championships simultaneously, Daniel Cormier became only the second fighter in UFC history to hold world championships in two weight classes at the same time. He is also the first fighter in UFC history to successfully defend world championships in two separate divisions.
Daniel Cormier is set to challenge for the UFC Heavyweight Championship against current champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 252. The final bout in their trilogy of fights, many are speculating that Cormier could retire once the fight is over, regardless of the outcome.
DC also regularly provides colour commentary during UFC events. Therefore, not only could we see Daniel Cormier competing inside of a WWE ring in the future, but we could also hear him behind the microphone in the commentary booth.
#4 Paige VanZant
Paige VanZant's career in the UFC looks to be coming to an end. During the walk to the octagon at UFC 251 VanZant had tears in her eyes, with rumours that her contract with the UFC could be set to expire and that the fight against Amanda Ribas could be her final mixed martial arts bout.
At 26 years old, Paige VanZant has plenty of time to transition into the role of a WWE Superstar. There have been consistent rumours about a potential WWE career for VanZant for the last few years. The Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer has even confirmed that WWE wanted the UFC fighter to make an appearance at SummerSlam as few years ago, but she was unable to do so due to UFC commitments:
"They talked to her a few years ago for SummerSlam and she was game for it, but UFC wanted her to fight that month instead. But she's said she's up for it."
UFC to WWE?
Paige VanZant has always been very vocal about the possibility to become a WWE Superstar in the future. During an interview in 2018, the UFC opened up about a future inside of WWE ring:
"I also think the WWE is an amazing organisation and it’s a very athletic entertainment industry which would suit me, there’s probably huge potential for a crossover down the line and of course I’m a big fan of what they do, so it would be great to be a part of."
WWE personalities including the likes of Renee Young have also expressed a desire to see Paige VanZant crossover from UFC to WWE in the future too.
Will we eventually see Paige VanZant compete inside of a WWE ring?
#3 Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo's accolades in professional sports are there for all to see. A former gold medal winning Olympian, Cejudo also has achieved a glittering career in UFC.
Henry Cejudo is a former two division world champion. By holding the UFC Flyweight Championship and UFC Bantamweight Championship, he is the fourth fighter in UFC history to hold championships in two separate weight classes simultaneously. In addition to this, Henry Cejudo is also the second fighter in UFC history to successfully defend world championships in two separate weight classes.
However, after defeating Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 to retain the UFC Bantamweight Championship, Cejudo shocked the world by announcing his retirement from mixed martial arts.
Fresh off his UFC retirement, Henry Cejudo appeared on AEW Dynamite as part of Mike Tyson's entourage during "Iron" Mike's face off with Chris Jericho during the May 27 episode.
UFC to AEW or WWE?
Henry Cejudo has recently softened on his UFC retirement in recent weeks, suggesting that he could be interesting in fighting for the UFC Featherweight Championship, his third potential UFC World Championship in a separate weight class.
However, now that Henry Cejudo has briefly crossed over from the world of UFC to professional wrestling, the former Olympian could have his potential suitors. AEW and WWE would without a doubt be very interested in bringing someone the calibre of Henry Cejudo into their promotion.
Sports entertainment has a history of seeing olympic wrestlers such as Kurt Angle and Chad Gable cross over from amateur to professional wrestling. Could Henry Cejudo be next on that list?
#2 Cris Cyborg
WWE has seen former female UFC fighters transition over to the world of sports entertainment in the past. Former UFC fighters such as Ronda Rousey, Shayna Baszler and Jessamyn Duke have all seen success in WWE since becoming WWE Superstars.
Cris Cyborg has been very vocal in the past about possibly appearing inside of a WWE ring. In fact, the former UFC Women's Featherweight Champion even visited the WWE Performance Center in June 2019, sparking rumours that the former UFC fighter could be headed to WWE in the near future.
UFC Champion and future WWE Superstar?
Cris Cyborg has also teased a professional wrestling cross over from mixed martial arts in several interviews also. In a 2019 interview, the former UFC fighter admitted that she was interested in signing for both WWE and AEW:
“I love both AEW and WWE and the fans of professional wrestling are always stopping me in the street asking me when I am going to have a wrestling match, If the opportunity presents itself, and the deal makes sense, I would love to challenge myself with pro wrestling."
Given that major current female WWE Superstars Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey are on all hiatus from WWE for several reasons, could the promotion look to bring in an established name from the world of MMA and UFC such as Cris Cyborg to add to their women's division?
#1 Conor McGregor
Many fans feel that UFC fighter Conor McGregor was made for professional wrestling. His over the top, loud and outlandish personality often has the feeling that he is a professional wrestling character living in the world of mixed martial arts.
Considering the natural fit that the UFC fighter would seemingly be for sports entertainment, many fans over the years have been desperate to see Conor McGregor one day compete inside of a WWE ring.
The Notorious One of UFC has even had his run ins with WWE Superstars and fans alike in the past on social media. During the UFC 202 media scrum, McGregor had some choice words about the WWE and their top star John Cena. This led to a huge backlash from WWE Superstars and professional wrestlers:
“What’s the main guy? John Cena. He’s 40 years of age. He’s walking around in a luminous orange t-shirt and a headband talking about nobody can see him. We can see him right there. He’s a big fat, 40-year-old failed Mr. Olympia mother f*cker.”
UFC retirement?
Conor McGregor shocked the world when he announced his retirement from mixed martial arts and UFC in June of 2020. However, McGregor has announced his retirement from MMA several times before. This has led to speculation that the retirement may be no more than publicity and just a case of Conor McGregor getting attention for himself on social media.
However, some fans and personalities are speculating that this latest UFC retirement announcement by Conor McGregor could indeed be legitimate.
If so, could this pave the way for a future WWE career for the Notorious one? WWE COO Triple H has been open in suggesting that he would like to see Conor McGregor one day as a part of the WWE Universe:
"I think that Conor McGregor versus McMahon with that Billion Dollar Walk on the line? I think that's a match made in heaven!”
Conor McGregor has famously used the "Billionaire Strut", made famous by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, before major fights and press conferences while competing in the UFC.
Could McGregor one day bring his Billionaire Strut to our screens as a member of the WWE roster?
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