UFC Stars Eye Exciting WWE Transition: The TKO Connection
The age-old tradition of MMA fighters transitioning to the scripted world of WWE seems to be more enticing than ever, especially with both WWE and UFC now under the same TKO banner. While assurances have been made that these entities will maintain their separate identities, the notion of UFC luminaries venturing into the realm of sports entertainment once their cage days are over has not escaped the attention of WWE President Nick Khan. In a recent interview with ESPN’s Marc Raimondi, Khan expressed his thoughts on this intriguing crossover.
“UFC fighters are fully committed to their UFC careers, and WWE superstars have their unique domain in our squared circle,” Khan stated. “But within the UFC, we’ve witnessed individuals with tremendous charisma, and once their tenure in the Octagon concludes, when both the fighter and the UFC agree it’s time to move on, could these personalities find a new lease on life in WWE, potentially extending their careers with TKO? We believe it’s a possibility.”
While UFC President Dana White and his team may be reluctant to acknowledge it, some of their top talents have been taking cues from WWE’s promotional playbook for quite some time. The theatrics surrounding fight promotion and post-fight confrontations that set up future bouts often mirror WWE-style promos, albeit more planned than spontaneous.
Notably, former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier, now an integral part of the UFC commentary crew, has served as a special referee for WWE events. Conor McGregor, another UFC megastar, has teased WWE involvement through his social media posts but has yet to make a pro wrestling appearance.
While not every fighter will make the transition from the Octagon to the ring, the TKO merger will undoubtedly simplify the logistical challenges for those who wish to explore sports entertainment after their MMA careers. Khan’s recognition of this possibility hints at an intriguing future where the worlds of UFC and WWE could intersect more frequently.
