As everyone who follows either sport is likely aware of by now, the UFC and WWE are merging into the biggest combat sport organization on the planet. This will have many big changes, including the fact that the WWE is attempting to implement betting into the sport. This will allow fans to use their favorite sports betting bonus and wager on WWE events. That will likely be the biggest external change from the merger, but another one is that more current or former UFC fighters will likely partake in WWE events.
UFC fighters are a natural fit for the WWE with their established combat skills and outsized personalities. Many, like Ronda Rousey and Brock Lesnar, have seamlessly made the transition. Going forward, other UFC fighters will enter the WWE fray and try and carve out a role in the massive and growing wrestling competition. Let’s look at some past and current UFC fighters who could transition to WWE.
Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor might be the biggest personality the UFC has ever had, reaching dizzying levels of popularity at his peak. Now, his career seems to be entering its twilight phase, and he has been marred by reports of one crime after another. A transition to the WWE might be his best route to staying in the limelight, which he so clearly craves. He is still a world-famous superstar, and the WWE would likely welcome him to its roster. He would make for an admirable heel, although it remains to be seen whether he has the physical skill for it.
Nate Diaz
Nate Diaz is another famous fighter who built a reputation on a brash and wild personality. Similar to McGregor, his career seems to be about wrapping up. His next fight is not an MMA one, as he is scheduled to be yet another former UFC fighter to take on Jake Paul in a boxing match. If he is looking to remain in the fight game, WWE could call out to him. Diaz has the unique persona and fan love to become an entertaining addition. He has teased fans with a mention of a role in the WWE going forward.
Amanda Nunes
Amanda Nunes is hanging it up after a lengthy career where she asserted herself as maybe the best woman fighter of all time. She is a dominant, ferocious fighter that has a likable, confident personality. If the WWE is looking to add to its female talent pool, Nunes should be the first call they make. She is a proven warrior and a dominant athlete and could likely get the grips of pro wrestling quickly. This sort of decision worked out great for the UFC when they added Ronda Rousey.
Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo just made his return to the UFC, and although he lost to Aljamain Sterling, he showed that he is still a world-class fighter. He is not likely to depart for quite some time. But it is easy to see Cejudo succeeding in the WWE. He is a fluid athlete who was an Olympic gold medal wrestler. He also has a quirky personality and is known as the King of Cringe. If he were given the opportunity, he would be an excellent addition to WWE events. He is physically skilled, a recognizable figure, and has an amusing personality to cheer for or against.
Georges St. Pierre
Georges St. Pierre is a Canadian icon. He is one of the most decorated UFC fighters in the history of the sport, someone who has ascended to the mountaintop of fighting. But he has called it quits on his lengthy career and has been out of the game for a while, and he has long expressed a passion for professional wrestling. He is a personal fan of the sport who says he would love to appear at a WWE event, and why not? He has star power and charisma, and though he is certainly small for the WWE, other undersized athletes and performers have made impacts on the sport.
Colby Covington
Colby Covington is a hugely polarizing figure in the UFC. Either you love him, or you hate him. That sort of personality is something that plays excellently in the UFC. He knows how to market himself and has made a career off being an antagonist. Covington is slightly bigger than some of the other fighters on this list and is more than capable at wrestling. While he would likely have a lot to learn, the potential for him is massive as a WWE presence.
