10 Successful MMA To Pro Wrestling Transitions

#7 Josh Barnett (35-8)

Josh Barnett is known for a possessing a shoot-focused approach to pro-wrestling

Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett, a master of catch wrestling, is a decorated fighter who has more than proven himself across the MMA landscape.

Having competed in the late 90s and early 2000s tournaments and championship fights for PRIDE, Pancrase, Strikeforce, DREAM and other organizations, the Seattle native transitioned into pro-wrestling in 2003 via Inoki-era New Japan Pro Wrestling, which was extremely MMA-focused at the time.

Although unsuccessful in his debut match against Yuji Nagata at the annual January 4th Tokyo Dome show, Barnett would go undefeated in subsequent tours where he was paired with Perry Saturn as a tag team.

Barnett returned to UFC in 2013 where he had a mixed win/loss record, before ultimately going back to wrestling again in 2015 as a commentator (along with WWE legend Jim Ross) for NJPW's weekly program on Axs TV, as well as a brief stint in the ring in TNA/Impact wrestling in 2017.

Barnett is also known for having trained current NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler, who shares his hybrid martial arts/pro-wrestling background.