MMA and WWE both have very different backgrounds and fighting styles. Yet over the years, some extraordinary fighters have used their sheer power and talent to take part in both.
From Brock Lesnar to Antonio Inoki, there are plenty of examples of how MMA and WWE crossovers have paid off. What makes crossover combatants so popular is their innate versatility—fans love to watch their favorite fighters engage in multiple different kinds of combat.
When it comes down to it, this list of crossover stars all have their eyes set on one goal: stopping at nothing to beat their opponent. This is the kind of talent you simply can’t look away from.
- Brock Lesnar
When most people think of MMA and WWE crossover stars, Brock Lesnar is the first fighter to spring to mind. As the only fighter to win both a WWE and UFC world title, Lesnar’s name has become synonymous with combat crossover career success. But his road to a successful crossover wasn’t without a few large bumps.
After brutally defeating UFC heavyweight Randy Couture, all eyes were on Lesnar. But then he took a 2-year break due to diverticulitis, and it seemed like his short-lived UFC career was over. However, he stormed back into the ring to defeat Shane Carwin and become the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion, getting his name in the history books.
It’s not easy to navigate two different fighting disciplines with such unfailing energy. But Lesnar has consistently proven himself as a formidable fighter in both MMA and UFC events. To make his career even more impressive, Lesnar has written his own autobiography.
Despite some unfortunate career twists due to ongoing lawsuits and numerous failed drug tests, there’s no denying that this fighter set the gold standard for crossover careers in UFC.
- Ken Shamrock
US-born Ken Shamrock is typically better known for his accomplishments as an MMA fighter. But people often forget about the role he played in the WWF (now WWE) scene. As one of the most recognized and celebrated fighters of all time, it should come as no surprise that Shamrock has extensive multi-disciplinary training.
Shamrock founded the infamous Lion’s Den MMA training camp and then went on to nab the UFC heavyweight championship four times. If that’s not a crossover career, we don’t know what is.
From 1988 to 2022, Shamrock has had a thriving career in combat sports no matter what kind of ring (or octagon) he enters. In addition to MMA and WWE, Shamrock also likes to play catch wrestling.
- Dan Severn
Dan Severn is another dually influenced combat fighter who has consistently earned a high status of notoriety on the UFC scene. A formidable fighter in just about any ring, Severn has found success everywhere from the jiu-jitsu mat to the freestyle wrestling ring—this guy has done it all.
Like Shamrock, Severn is more of a natural fighter than a pro wrestler, often preferring to tackle more intuitive forms of combat like MMA. However, the superfighter has won the NWA world heavyweight championships twice and is a recognized NWA Hall of Famer.
With a staggering professional record of 101-19-7, Severn has been engaging in professional combat of all kinds for over 20 years. His illustrious crossover career makes him one of the most prolific fighters in the world.
- Antonio Inoki
When it comes to Japanese UFC crossover stars, it doesn’t get much better than the late Antonio Inoki. This legendary fighter was trained by Karl Gotch and Rikidozan, giving him a strong foundation in shoot fighting and grappling.
However, the fight that put him on the map as a professional wrestling icon was when he tied with Muhammad Ali in the 1976 World Wrestling Championship in Tokyo.
Over the course of his career, Inoki started his own major wrestling show in North Korea, joined the WWE Hall of Fame, and then entered into Japanese politics. The sheer span of Inoki’s career makes him one of the most impressive and talented fighters to date.
- Bobby Lashley
Like many of the crossover combat fighters on this list, Bobby Lashley started his career in UFC as an amateur wrestler. The reigning NAIA champion between 1996 and 1998, Lashley earned his reputation as a dynamic fighter in more than one sports genre.
Originally a WWE careerist, Lashley was a one-time US champion and two-time ECW champion, even in line to compete in the 2004 heavyweight Olympics before a freak injury prevented him from participating. After crushing Vince McMahon in a hair vs. hair match, he was released from WWE.
However, that wasn’t the end of Lashley’s career. Instead, he focused all his attention on crossing over to the world of MMA. So far he’s won five high-ranking fights, no doubt with more on the way.
- CM Punk
This list of extraordinary crossover combat fighters simply wouldn’t be complete without a mention of CM Punk. Starting out as a backyard wrestler in the 1990s, CM Punk soon grew to become one of the US’ favorite contemporary fighters.
Known for his attention-grabbing moves, CM Punk has consistently won matches against industry giants such as Samoa Joe and Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan)—which quickly got him a contract with WWE. The infamous rivalry between CM Punk and John Cena only made him more popular with fans.
After winning an impressive five WWE world titles, CM Punk left the WWE crew and chose to sign a new multi-fight contract with the UFC. Since then, he’s dazzled onlookers with his flamboyant approach to fighting and has regularly made MMA news headlines.
The Future Of Crossovers In Combat Sports
According to experienced industry superstars like Sonya Deville, the number of crossover careers between MMA and WWE is only increasing with time.
This projection for the future is partly due to the rise of influential crossover stars like Lesnar and Shamrock who have a vast global reach online, and the global shift in perspective towards more versatile and dynamic careers in general.
Being able to fight in one genre of combat is impressive. But being accomplished in multiple disciplines takes serious talent. If these crossover stars are anything to go by, we can’t wait to see what comes next for WWE and MMA stars in the future.