5 fighters with the tools to swap UFC for WWE

At face value, you would be forgiven for assuming that WWE and the UFC have very little in common, yet despite that, there has been no shortage of stars switching from one sport to the other over the course of the last 20 years.

With the likes of UFC legends Dan Severn and Ken Shamrock having traded the octagon for the squared circle in the past, not to mention the recent change of career for UFC bantamweight great Ronda Rousey, there is plenty of precedent for fighters swapping UFC for WWE.

Let's take a look at five fighters currently on the UFC roster, who I believe have what it takes to become genuine stars of sports entertainment.

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#1 Conor McGregor

UFC 229 Khabib v McGregor: Press Conference

Conor McGregor makes no secret of the fact that he always sets out to 'take over the game' in whatever it is he puts his mind to.

Mixed Martial Arts. Boxing. Whiskey. Could he try his hand at Professional Wrestling next?

There have been rumours of McGregor making the move to WWE on more than one occasion over the last few years and for very good reason. The outspoken Dublin native seems to tick every box when it comes to the skills needed to succeed in the professional wrestling game. Name one other member of the UFC roster capable of cutting promos of the same level as McGregor. I'll wait...

The Irishman already has the mic skills to challenge half of the existing WWE roster in the promo department. He's a natural when it comes to saying things to get a reaction from the crowd. When you add his athleticism and enormous fan base into the mix the only possible conclusion is that he is ready-made for the world of sports entertainment.

#2 Sage Northcutt

UFC 200: Tate v Nunes

Speaking of UFC stars who seem ready-made to step into the world of WWE, 'Super' Sage Northcutt appears to have everything a fighter would need to make the step across.

Let's start with the most obvious point. Northcutt legitimately looks the part already. His physique is closer to that of a bodybuilder than your average Mixed Martial Artist and he'd absolutely not look out of place should he swap the UFC for WWE.

Tell me you can't picture him stood in the ring, exchanging pleasantries with "Mr Angle", calling everybody Sir or Ma'am and just being the most legitimately wholesome face the WWE has seen in an extremely long time.

In a world anchored around the idea of heels and faces, Northcutt is the very definition of a genuine babyface. At just 22 years old, 'Super Sage' could potentially have a long, successful career should he decide to leave Mixed Martial Arts behind in favour of a career as a professional wrestler.

#3 Paige VanZant

Metro PCS Presents Wyclef Jean Powered By PANDORA

Where to begin with Paige VanZant? The 24-year-old has had her ups and downs in the Octagon since making her debut back in 2014, putting together a record of 4-3-0 in that time. Though "12-gauge" Paige has struggled for consistency, it doesn't seem to have affected her star power at any stage.

The confident, charismatic Oregon native increased her popularity with a successful stint on Dancing With The Stars back in 2016, ultimately finishing the season as runner-up - quite an impressive feat for an, at the time, little known mixed martial artist.

VanZant has the looks, charisma and fan base to make the transition over to WWE should she decide to do so. She is currently plotting her comeback from a serious arm injury sustained during her last Octagon appearance, against Jessica-Rose Clark in January of this year. While it certainly appears she is driven to get her MMA career back on track, she has previously spoken of her admiration for Ronda Rousey and explained that she wanted to emulate the success she found as a pioneer for women's MMA.

Would it be a shock if that ambition carried over to PVZ pursuing a career in WWE? I don't think it would.

#4 Colby Covington

UFC Fight Night Singapore: On-sale Press Conference

Another UFC star with irrefutable mic skills is Colby "Chaos" Covington.

Never one to shy away from controversy, Covington is a ready-made heel and appears to relish the thought of having the public root against him.

Yes, he's been accused of acting tough for the cameras and copying the likes of Conor McGregor and Chael Sonnen in his approach but is that really a bad thing? Is it entertaining? In my opinion, yes, it is entertaining. When it comes to making the switch from MMA to WWE, mic skills are some of the hardest things an already naturally athletic fighter needs to learn and for Colby, that's something he wouldn't need a great deal of help with.

Considering the 30-year-old is on a six-fight win streak and is widely expected to receive the next shot at UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley's belt, don't expect him to consider a move to WWE any time soon. That said, I certainly wouldn't be shocked to see him make the switch at some point in the future.

#5 Cris Cyborg

Media Day: Press Conference with UFC Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg

Just last month, rumours were swirling that WWE were interested in signing reigning UFC women's featherweight queen, Cris Cyborg to a one fight deal to face "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey at next year's WrestleMania. The Brazilian star seemed eager to finally face her longtime rival, albeit in a different environment and under a different set of rules, telling Ariel Helwani that she'd like to do it for the fans.

“If it is happening, maybe we can give all fans the fight they’ve never seen."

“I think it would be great for all the fans that would like to watch, but I’m not sure about that 100 per cent."

“I don’t know. Maybe it happens, maybe not. It would be great.”

While it's far from a done deal, it is absolutely the kind of match-up which would help raise the profile of the UFC featherweight champion away from the UFC. In the absence of any legitimate 145lb competition and with limited time left on her UFC deal, Cyborg certainly has options and those options definitely include making a move to WWE.