Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and wrestling are two closely related combat sports. Some fighters have been able to transition between the two and become champions in both arenas. In this article, we’ll highlight cage fighters who became wrestling champions and explore how their skills in the cage helped them succeed in the wrestling world.
1. Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar is perhaps the most famous example of a cage fighter who became a wrestling champion. Lesnar initially rose to prominence in the world of professional wrestling with the WWE, where he became a multiple-time world champion. However, his wrestling career didn’t stop there.
Lesnar transitioned to MMA and signed with the UFC, where he quickly made an impact. In just his fourth professional fight, Lesnar won the UFC Heavyweight Championship by defeating Randy Couture. His success in MMA, thanks to his elite wrestling background, led him to become one of the biggest stars in UFC history.
After his MMA career, Lesnar returned to the WWE, where he continued to dominate. He became a WWE Universal Champion, further solidifying his legacy as a wrestling champion in both MMA and professional wrestling.
2. Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey is another example of a cage fighter who became a wrestling champion. Rousey was a dominant force in MMA, particularly in the UFC, where she became the first female fighter to win a UFC championship. Her success was built on her Olympic judo background, which she utilized to execute devastating throws and submissions inside the cage.
After her MMA career, Ronda transitioned into professional wrestling with the WWE. Her background in combat sports and her fame from MMA helped her quickly rise to the top of the WWE roster. In 2018, Ronda became the WWE Raw Women’s Champion, proving that her skills could translate into the world of professional wrestling.
Her ability to combine submission holds, athleticism, and charisma has made her a crossover star in both MMA and professional wrestling.
3. Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier, a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and Heavyweight Champion, is another example of a fighter who succeeded in both MMA and wrestling. Before becoming one of the best MMA fighters of his generation, Cormier had an impressive career as an amateur wrestler. He won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics in wrestling, which laid the foundation for his MMA career.
Cormier’s wrestling background gave him an edge in his UFC career, where he used his superior wrestling skills to control and dominate opponents. After retiring from MMA, Cormier transitioned into broadcasting and commentary but continued to be a strong figure in the wrestling community due to his Olympic wrestling pedigree.
Though he hasn’t pursued professional wrestling in WWE, Cormier is still respected as a wrestling champion in the context of both amateur wrestling and MMA.
4. Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle is another athlete who seamlessly transitioned from Olympic wrestling to a successful professional wrestling career, with a brief stint in MMA. Angle won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1996 Olympics, which earned him recognition as one of the best amateur wrestlers in the world.
After his Olympic victory, Angle joined the WWE, where he became one of the most decorated wrestlers in history, winning multiple WWE Championships. Angle’s wrestling background made him stand out in professional wrestling, where he used his technical wrestling ability to dominate in the ring.
Angle also ventured briefly into MMA, making his professional debut in 2006 with Strikeforce. Although he didn’t achieve the same level of success in MMA as he did in professional wrestling, Angle’s career in both sports cemented his legacy as a wrestling champion.
5. Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley is a fighter who has excelled in both professional wrestling and MMA. Lashley began his career as an amateur wrestler before transitioning into professional wrestling, where he became a multi-time WWE Intercontinental Champion and WWE United States Champion.
In addition to his wrestling success, Lashley also had a career in MMA. He signed with Strikeforce and later Bellator MMA, where he won multiple matches and earned a reputation as a strong competitor. Lashley became the Bellator Heavyweight Champion, showcasing his ability to dominate in both worlds.
His success in both cage fighting and professional wrestling has made him one of the few athletes who can claim titles in both sports.
6. CM Punk
CM Punk is another example of a cage fighter who became a wrestling champion, though his journey was less conventional. Punk made his name as a professional wrestler in WWE, where he became a WWE Champion multiple times. His charismatic persona and in-ring skills made him a beloved figure in professional wrestling.
After leaving WWE, Punk transitioned into MMA, signing with the UFC. While he didn’t achieve the same level of success in MMA as some other former WWE stars, his journey showed how his wrestling background and persona allowed him to cross over into the world of cage fighting.
While Punk didn’t win any titles in MMA, his experience in both sports contributed to his unique legacy as a wrestling champion and cage fighter.
7. Shayna Baszler
Shayna Baszler is an example of a cage fighter who became a wrestling champion, particularly in WWE. Before joining WWE, Baszler had a successful career in MMA, where she became a Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion. Known for her strong ground game and submission skills, Baszler was one of the top female MMA fighters of her time.
After transitioning to WWE, Baszler became a dominant force in the NXT Women’s Championship and later moved up to the main roster, where she has continued to compete at a high level. Baszler’s combination of MMA experience and wrestling talent helped her achieve success as a wrestling champion in WWE.
Conclusion
The transition from cage fighting to wrestling champion is not always easy, but these athletes have successfully navigated both worlds. From Brock Lesnar’s dominance in the UFC to Ronda Rousey’s rise to WWE stardom, these fighters show that skills developed in cage fighting can make an athlete successful in professional wrestling. Whether through grappling, striking, or pure athleticism, these fighters have proven that the world of cage fighting and wrestling can blend seamlessly for those with the right talent and determination.
