There is less of a distinction between mixed martial arts and professional wrestling now that the UFC and WWE have come under the TKO Group.
This revelation came to life on Monday night, as former Bellator MMA champion Michael Chandler graced RAW. He delivered a captivating promo aimed at Conor McGregor.
Rumors surfaced after the promo that the two contenders may engage in a rivalry of some kind that would culminate at WrestleMania 400, which coincidentally falls one week before UFC 300.
WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin is an icon of the Attitude Era. He shared his insights on UFC stars venturing into the WWE. Austin promptly named two competitors who could seamlessly make the transition, in is opinion.
Austin expressed in an interview with ESPN’s Marc Raimondi: “If I’m going right now, I’m going Sean Strickland. I like Sean Strickland. Boy, he stays economical in the Octagon. But what a promo!”
“Then I go Colby Covington. All the trash talk talk, all the athletic ability. Guy never runs out of gas, he’s always in shape. Talks a mean streak and can back it up. He’s very exciting, he has that X factor that you always look for. He’s double tough.”
Colby Covington has perfected his ‘Chaos’ persona showcased in the UFC, and seems tailor-made for the WWE stage. Years of honing his character in front of UFC fans could make him an irresistible addition to the WWE roster.
But challenges may arise with Sean Strickland, as his demeanor could pose a huge challenge for Triple H and the WWE.
Fans have over the years seen a number of celebrities transition to WWE over time. After prosperous UFC careers, Ronda Rousey and Matt Riddle successfully transitioned to professional wrestling.
Conversely, WWE Superstars Brock Lesnar and CM Punk came into the Octagon after establishing themselves as pro wrestling titans.
Brock Lesnar left a huge mark, winning the UFC heavyweight championship by defeating Randy Couture at UFC 91. His successful title defenses against Frank Mir and Shane Carwin solidified his dominance in both worlds.
On a different note, CM Punk faced a challenging stint in the UFC and concluded with a 0-2 record. Notably, his second bout against Mike Jackson was overturned to a no-contest due to Jackson testing positive for marij**na.