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The sport of mixed martial arts is no joke, and we can't even begin to tell you how much respect we have for the guys and girls who put their bodies on the line whenever they step foot inside that cage. Of course, we also have a tonne of respect for professional wrestlers, as they also put themselves through a gruelling schedule - all for the entertainment of the fans.
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That's particularly true in WWE, and ironically enough, the two sports have had a series of crossovers over the last few years. While some people have been more successful than others, there's no denying the connection - and we actually think that there could be a few more superstars on the roster that have the potential to transition over into the world of MMA one day.
With that being said, here are five WWE superstars who we believe could compete in MMA. P.S: no, we haven't included Brock Lesnar, Ronda Rousey or Shayna Baszler.
#5 Samoa Joe
There's a reason why the fans often chant "Joe is gonna kill you" - because if given the opportunity, he probably could. The Samoan Submission Machine has been on a tear since returning from injury and while he hasn't yet climbed up to the main event scene, it feels like it's only a matter of time until he challenges for the WWE Championship.
Plus, in our mind, he probably has what it takes to test the waters in MMA too. Not only does he have a great build for the sport, but he's also been specialising in submissions for years now. Yes, we know that he's been doing so in pro wrestling, but who knows what he's been able to learn through years of training?
It may sound silly, but we feel like Joe could do some damage.
#4 Becky Lynch
Becky Lynch is arguably the best all-around female superstar in WWE right now, and while there are certainly a few contenders for that title, she's definitely in the conversation. She's finally starting to receive some recognition for her work on SmackDown Live, and it appears as if she could be the next challenger in line for the SD Live Women's Championship following Money in the Bank.
When it comes to MMA, however, it feels like it could be an interesting possibility somewhere down the road. Not only does she seem to be a huge fan of the sport, but her boyfriend (potentially ex-boyfriend based on recent rumours), is a UFC fighter. Lynch clearly still has a passion for pro wrestling, but if she ever wants to switch things up, mixed martial arts could be a great route for her.
#3 Jack Gallagher
Jack Gallagher is known for being one of the more comedic characters currently residing on the WWE roster, and that's understandable because he's done some hilarious things during his time in the cruiserweight division. Beyond that, however, he's also a great wrestler, and he proved that when he put on a fantastic championship bout against Neville.
Oh, and did we mention that he used to be an MMA fighter?
Jack has picked up a handful of victories in the world of mixed martial arts, proving that he's not just a stud on the UFC 3 video game. There's an argument to be made that he's one of the toughest pound-for-pound guys on the entire roster, and it'd be nice to see them play that up a bit. It doesn't need to be too in your face but maybe mention it every now and again on the broadcast.
#2 Chad Gable
If given the chance, we believe that Chad Gable could do some remarkable things on Raw or SmackDown Live. Back in 2016, Gable was part of one of the hottest tag teams in all of professional wrestling alongside Jason Jordan - and at the time, it seemed obvious that he'd one day go on to be a fantastic babyface underdog in singles competition.
While he's been able to accomplish that to an extent he still hasn't been featured as much as many would've liked, and if that continues, we wouldn't be opposed to him trying out MMA. He's quick, has a great build, and he can summon truly phenomenal strength for someone of his size. Plus he has a great amateur wrestling background, which could be the biggest key to success if used correctly.
#1 Sonya Deville
Despite the fact that Absolution didn't exactly go to plan, we're still happy to see Sonya Deville on the main roster. She may not be the finished product just yet, but at this stage in her career, you can't automatically expect her to become one of the greats overnight. She has a great gimmick, a great look, and she's only 24 years of age.
Speaking of her gimmick, most fans will know that it's based on her MMA career which saw her pick up a 2-1 record before she even turned 22. While she clearly has more of a passion for professional wrestling these days, who knows what she could accomplish if she wanted to return to the cage?
Which WWE wrestler would you want to see in MMA? Let us know in the comments below!
