'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#5 Former and current UFC fighters take matters to the squared circle
Matt Riddle has become a pro wrestling sensation on the indie scene since retiring from MMA, and now he'll find himself bringing another UFC veteran from the cage to the ring when he and "Filthy" Tom Lawlor battle it out in Major League Wrestling's main event on December 7 in Orlando, Florida.
Trending
Most MMA fans may remember Riddle from his time on season 7 of The Ultimate Fighter or more recently his failures to test cleanly due to frequent advocation and usage of marijuana. Riddle went 8-3 with 2 no contests during his MMA career with all but one of those fights coming in the UFC. He may not have been the best fighter in the world, but he always did his best to put on a good show...and now he's doing it to the fullest potential.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
As for Tom Lawlor, this should come as no surprise to see him stepping into a wrestling ring. Just look at how he used to dress up for weigh-ins before Reebok came in and ruined everything.
Any die-hard pro-wrestling fan knows exactly what he was referencing during that weigh-in.
Tom Lawlor is currently suspended from competition until next year due to the usage of banned substances.
Lawlor also happens to be a product of The Ultimate Fighter as he appeared on season 8 which directly follows Riddle's season. Both fighters lost in the elimination round, Lawlor losing to eventual winner, Ryan Bader, and Riddle to Tim Credeur.
Entering the UFC with a 4-1 record back in 2008, Lawlor has been with the promotion ever since and now holds a 10-6 record.
Author's take
I couldn't tell you if this is Tom Lawlor's first pro wrestling match because I don't follow wrestling anymore (outside of the Hardys...).
But I know that Riddle has transitioned perfectly into the world of sports entertainment and has grown very popular so I imagine that he'll end up winning. If it were an MMA fight, I would have to go with Lawlor who, despite his record, has had a better career and has fought more recently.
