6 current WWE Superstars with an MMA background

On January 26th, 2019, we saw the debut of Jack Swagger (also known as Jake Hager) in Bellator as he made a transition from WWE into the world of MMA. Swagger went onto defeat J.W Kiser via submission in the first round at 2 minutes and 9 seconds as Swagger began his MMA career in the Heavyweight division.

However, there are many other stars that have either made a switch from WWE to MMA or vice versa. Another example of somebody making a move to the MMA world was CM Punk, as he fought twice in the UFC. Despite the fact that Punk lost, it doesn't change the fact that he now officially has an MMA background.

So here are 6 current WWE superstars who have a previous background in the sport of MMA.

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#6 Jack Gallagher

Gallagher is a former amateur MMA fighter

The Gentleman in Jack Gallagher is possibly the most unlikely superstar in the list to have an MMA background. However, it will come as a surprise to many people that Gallagher is actually very decorated when it comes to the scenery of amateur MMA.

Gallagher has a 2-0 win record in GPUK as he managed to gain two First Round submissions in both of his fights. We have briefly seen Gallagher use MMA elbow strikes in a WWE ring, but the fact that his former MMA background hasn't really been focused on majorly during his WWE career in 205 Live is very surprising, as this would be a perfect way for Gallagher to seem like more of a credible character.

The British superstar has also trained in many aspects of MMA such as Boxing and Kickboxing which makes him very legitimate. But most importantly, he is also master of Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu, as he had trained in this sport for 8 years. Despite the fact that he is currently 5 ft 8 and weighing in at 167lb, Gallagher is clearly not an individual that should be messed with.

#5 Sonya Deville

Deville has competed in 3 professional MMA fights

We have seen basic aspects of MMA in Sonya Deville's character in the WWE, such as when she makes her entrance by shadowboxing on the stage. She has competed for two professional MMA companies such as CFL and the University of MMA, with a win-loss record of 2-1.

In CFL, Deville was very successful as she had two fights in the cage. Her first fight was against Allenita Perez on October 11, 2014, as she successfully made Perez tap out by using the guillotine choke at 1 minute and 9 seconds in Round 3. Her second MMA victory came when she defeated Jeselia Perez via TKO in 2 minutes during Round 2.

Unfortunately, Deville's only loss was when she competed in her first MMA bout at the University of MMA in Fight Night 9 as she faced off with Jasmine Pouncy. However, the fight was given to Pouncy by unanimous decision as Deville didn't tap out or get knocked out.

Deville is currently competing on SmackDown Live in a tag team with Mandy Rose, and despite the fact that she hasn't won a title yet, she is still clearly developing her character as she seems to be destined for great things.

#4 Shinsuke Nakamura

Nakamura has a former MMA background mostly in Japan

There is a reason why Shinsuke Nakamura used to be known as The King of Strong Style, due to his hard-hitting abilities in the wrestling ring, which comes from when Nakamura used to be a professional MMA fighter. Nakamura has had 5 matches in the cage as he currently has a 3-1-1 win/loss/no contest record.

His first ever MMA match was during the Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye event on December 31, 2002, when Nakamura tapped out to Daniel Gracie via submission at Round 2 in 2 minutes and 14 seconds. Despite this loss, Nakamura didn't give up as he also had an MMA fight on May 2, 2003, during the NJPW: Ultimate Crush event where he defeated Jan Nortje in Round 2 at 3 minutes and 12 seconds.

Nakamura's third fight was during the Jungle Fight 1 event on September 13, 2013, against Shane Eitner as he won by submission again at 4 minutes and 29 seconds during Round 1. This fight also took place in Manaus, Brazil.

The Artist has also competed in two MMA fights for K-1 MMA as they both came against Alexey Ignashov. His first fight against Ignashov was ruled as a no contest, whereas Nakamura defeated him in their second fight via submission again in Round 2 at 1 minute and 51 seconds. It's clear to see that Nakamura is a submission specialist when it comes to MMA.

#3 Bobby Lashley

Lashley made a name for himself in Bellator

The current Intercontinental Champion has a background in MMA, which many fans in the wrestling world know about. Lashley has competed in 12 different MMA companies such as Bellator, StrikeForce, and Titan, and he has clearly made a name for himself.

Lashley competed in the Heavyweight division as he brought his wrestling style into the cage, and it turned out to be very useful as he has had 17 fights inside the cage with a win-loss record of 15-2. Lashley has won 4 of those matches via KO, as well as 8 matches by submission, and he also won 3 of those bouts by decision too.

In April 2018, Bellator officials had made announced that Lashley was still under contract with them despite his return to the WWE. The possibility of Lashley returning to fight in the cage is clearly 50-50 as he seems happy in the WWE, but it definitely isn't something that should be ruled out.

#2 Brock Lesnar

Despite having only competed in 9 matches with a win/loss/no contest record of 5-3-1, Brock Lesnar was one of the biggest box offices draws during his time in UFC. The Beast had taken part in many of the PPV events that sold a huge amount of tickets in UFC's history, which makes him a huge deal in the world of MMA.

But most importantly, Lesnar is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion as he had successfully defended the belt twice. Unfortunately for Lesnar, his successful UFC career has also been shrouded in controversy as he had tested positive twice for the estrogen blocker clomiphene on August 23rd, 2016, which was confirmed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Despite Lesnar's past suspension, there is still a huge possibility that he will return to the UFC as Lesnar invaded the cage at UFC 226 after the main event by challenging UFC World Heavyweight Champion in Daniel Cormier.

It has also been confirmed by the USADA that Lesnar is currently beginning the process of getting back into their pool of drug-testing. With Lesnar also being a current WWE Universal Champion, he has clearly dominated not just the MMA world, but the wrestling world as well.

#1 Ronda Rousey

Last, but definitely not least, comes The Baddest Woman on the Planet.

Ronda Rousey is a revolutionary figure in the MMA world, as she had broken down barriers for many female fighters all over the world. She was the biggest draw for the UFC when she was competing in fights, as she had dominated as the UFC Bantamweight Champion, and she brought many new viewers to the UFC brand with a win-loss record of 12-2. Rousey was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018.

At one point, she had never lost a match before her undefeated streak was broken by Holly Holm at UFC 193 during Round 2 in 59 seconds on November 15, 2015. Rousey had also lost to Amanda Nunes via TKO in UFC 207 on December 30th, 2016 during Round 1 at 48 seconds.

These losses broke Rousey's mystique, but it also broke Rousey to the point where she had gone through depression. However, Rousey is the epitome of the phrase "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" as she is now competing in the WWE as the current Raw Women's Champion with a Wrestlemania main event in store for her alongside Becky Lynch.

There is no denying that Rousey is the most decorated individual in terms of having an MMA background due to her success with selling PPVs, winning matches as well as making it in the WWE just like Lesnar did.

Edited by Gabby Duran