{"id":5204,"date":"2017-06-04T10:21:48","date_gmt":"2017-06-04T14:21:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=5204"},"modified":"2017-06-04T10:45:33","modified_gmt":"2017-06-04T14:45:33","slug":"sakuraba-enters-ufc-hall-of-fame-pro-wrestlers-mma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2017\/06\/04\/sakuraba-enters-ufc-hall-of-fame-pro-wrestlers-mma\/","title":{"rendered":"Sakuraba to UFC Hall of Fame: Pro Wrestling &#038; MMA"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>At last nights&#8217;s\u00a0<em><strong>UFC 212<\/strong><\/em> event, it was announced that NJPW legend Kazushi Sakuraba was being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. A crowning achievement for the country of Japan (Sakuraba is only the 2nd Japanese fighter to win a title in UFC) and another nod of respect to the world of professional wrestling. Sakuraba marks the third\u00a0fighter\u00a0to enter the UFC Hall of Fame who began their combat career as a pro wrestler prior to MMA (behind Ken Shamrock and Dan Severn).<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The newest member of the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/UFCHoF?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#UFCHoF<\/a> Pioneer Wing &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KS_SAKU39?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@KS_SAKU39<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Congrats to a LEGEND \ud83d\udc4f \ud83d\udc4f \ud83d\udc4f <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/UFC212?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#UFC212<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/cDtBcs8Ap3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/cDtBcs8Ap3<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; UFC (@ufc) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ufc\/status\/871210205278810112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 4, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Many forget that Sakuraba is a professional wrestler, but he began his combat sport career as a professional wrestler in Japan &#8211; working for NJPW no less. But Sakuraba, like Brock Lesnar and CM Punk, aren&#8217;t the only pro wrestlers to take their shot in the Octagon.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a look at a few wrestlers who entered the world of MMA &#8211; plus a batch of MMA fighters who came the other way. Both sides had their share of success stories\u00a0<em>and\u00a0<\/em>failures.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>THE WRESTLERS WHO BECAME MMA FIGHTERS<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>(Must have at least two MMA fights; only includes those from true MMA, does not include boxers, amateur wrestlers or underground fighters)<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><strong>KAZUSHI SAKURABA, <\/strong><em>NJPW<\/em><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5215\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/kazushi-sakuraba-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"296\" height=\"357\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Pro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 1993<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: PRIDE, UFC<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 46 fights, <strong>26 wins<\/strong> (4 KO, 19 Submission, 3 DEC), 17 losses<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: July 14, 1996, Loss to Kimo Leopoldo, Shoot Boxing S-Cup &#8217;96<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: December 29, 2015, Loss to Shinya Aoki, Rizin FF<br \/>\nUFC Japan Heavyweight Champion<br \/>\nFirst man to beat <strong>Royce Gracie<\/strong> in MMA history. Nicknamed &#8220;The Gracie Hunter&#8221; because in just over a year (from November 1999 to December 2000), he defeated four <strong>Gracie Family<\/strong> fighters (<strong>Royler<\/strong> in November &#8217;99, Royce in May &#8217;00, <strong>Renzo<\/strong> in August &#8217;00 and <strong>Ryan<\/strong> in December &#8217;00).<\/p>\n<h3><strong>KEN SHAMROCK, <\/strong>ACW, WWF, TNA<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5245\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5245\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5245\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/Ken_Shamrock_bio-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/Ken_Shamrock_bio.png 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/Ken_Shamrock_bio-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/Ken_Shamrock_bio-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/Ken_Shamrock_bio-696x392.png 696w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/Ken_Shamrock_bio-1068x601.png 1068w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/Ken_Shamrock_bio-747x420.png 747w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5245\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Pro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>:\u00a01988<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: Pancrase,\u00a0UFC, PRIDE, Bellator<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: \u00a047 fights, <strong>28<\/strong><strong>\u00a0wins<\/strong> (2 KO, 23 Submission, 3\u00a0DEC), 17\u00a0losses,\u00a02 draws<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: September 21, 1993, Submission win over Masakatsu Funaki, Pancrase<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: February 19, 2016, TKO loss to Royce Gracie, Bellator<br \/>\nUFC Superfight Champion, <strong>UFC Hall of Fame<\/strong> (Inaugural Class of &#8217;03), WWE Intercontinental Champion, King of the Ring (&#8217;98), NWA (TNA) World Heavyweight Champion<br \/>\nTrained to be a pro wrestler in 1988 by <strong>Buzz Sawyer<\/strong> and <strong>Gene Anderson<\/strong>, debuting for <strong>Atlantic Championship Wrestling<\/strong>, then <strong>Paul Jones<\/strong>&#8216; <strong>South Atlantic Pro Wrestling<\/strong>; moved to Japan in 1990 to join <strong>Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi<\/strong>; founded <strong>Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling<\/strong>, one of the first true MMA promotions in the world in 1993 with <strong>Minoru Suzuki<\/strong> and <strong>Masakatsu Funaki<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>DAN SEVERN,\u00a0<\/strong><em>UWF, NWA, WWE<\/em><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5244\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5244\" style=\"width: 757px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5244\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/Dan_Severn_-_Daniel_Severn_04.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"757\" height=\"745\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/Dan_Severn_-_Daniel_Severn_04.jpg 757w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/Dan_Severn_-_Daniel_Severn_04-300x295.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/Dan_Severn_-_Daniel_Severn_04-696x685.jpg 696w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/Dan_Severn_-_Daniel_Severn_04-427x420.jpg 427w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 757px) 100vw, 757px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5244\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Pro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 1992<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: UFC, PRIDE, Rings, Ultimate Ultimate, KOTC<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 127 fights, <strong>101 wins<\/strong> (17 KO, 60 Submission, 24 DEC), 19 losses, 7 draws<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: December 16, 1994, Submission win over Anthony Macias, UFC<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: April 28, 2012, Decision win over Alex Rozman, Blue Blood<br \/>\nUFC Superfight Champion, UFC 5 Tournament Winner, Ultimate Ultimate 1995 Tournament Champion, Elite-1 MMA Heavyweight Champion, <strong>UFC Hall of Fame <\/strong>(Class of &#8217;05), Sherdog MMA Hall of Fame, 2x NWA World Heavyweight Champion, NWA Hall of Fame (Class of &#8217;10)<br \/>\nBegan his pro wrestling in 1992 with <strong>UWF<\/strong> in Japan, then <strong>AAPW<\/strong> in the States in 1994; moved to the <strong>NWA<\/strong> in 1995 and became the NWA World Heavyweight Champion by defeating <strong>Chris Candido<\/strong>; his 1,479 day reign as NWA World Champion is the third longest reign in NWA history &#8211; only <strong>Lou Thesz<\/strong> (2,300) and <strong>Dory Funk Jr.<\/strong> (1, 563) had longer reigns in its nearly 70 year lineage.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>BROCK LESNAR, <\/strong><em>WWE<\/em><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5243\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5243\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5243\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/C8w940WXkAA6swC-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/C8w940WXkAA6swC.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/C8w940WXkAA6swC-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/C8w940WXkAA6swC-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/C8w940WXkAA6swC-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/C8w940WXkAA6swC-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/C8w940WXkAA6swC-747x420.jpg 747w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5243\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Pro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 2000<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: K-1, UFC<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: \u00a09 fights, <strong>5 wins<\/strong> (2 KO, 2 Submission, 1 DEC), 3 losses, 1 no contest<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: June 2, 2007, Submission win over Min Soo Kim, K-1,<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: July 9, 2016, no contest vs Mark Hunt, UFC<br \/>\n5x WWE World Champion, IWGP Heavyweight Champion, UFC Heavyweight Champion<\/p>\n<h3><strong>MINORU SUZUKI, <\/strong><em>NJPW, AJPW, NOAH<\/em><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5239\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5239\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5239\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/hqdefault.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/hqdefault.jpg 480w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/hqdefault-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/hqdefault-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/hqdefault-265x198.jpg 265w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5239\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: NJPW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Pro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 1988<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: Pancrase<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 49 fights, <strong>29 wins<\/strong> (3 KO, 21 Submission, 4 DEC, 1 DQ), 20 losses<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: September 21, 1993, Submission win over Katsuomi Inagaki, Pancrase<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: March 9, 2013, Submission win over Hans Nijman, U-Spirits<br \/>\nLeader of <strong>Suzuki-Gun<\/strong> faction in NJPW; 2x AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, NEVER Openweight Champion (current), GHC Heavyweight Champion, King of Pancrase Openweight Champion; founded Pancrase with Ken Shamrock and Masakatsu Funaki.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>BOBBY LASHLEY, <\/strong><em>Impact Wrestling, WWE<\/em><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5241\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5241\" style=\"width: 469px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5241\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/o4m32-st-56.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"469\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/o4m32-st-56.jpeg 469w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/o4m32-st-56-220x300.jpeg 220w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/o4m32-st-56-308x420.jpeg 308w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 469px) 100vw, 469px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5241\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: Impact Wrestling<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Pro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 2004<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: MFA, Strikeforce, Titan FC, Bellator<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 17 fights, 15 wins\u00a0(4 KO, 8 Submission, 3 DEC), 2 losses<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: December 13, 2008, TKO win (Doctor stoppage) over Joshua Franklin, MFA<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: October 21, 2016, Submission win over Josh Appelt, Bellator<\/p>\n<h3><strong>ALBERTO EL PATRON, <\/strong><em>Impact Wrestling, WWE<\/em><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5240\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5240\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5240\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/alberto-del-rio-1479316614-800.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/alberto-del-rio-1479316614-800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/alberto-del-rio-1479316614-800-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5240\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Pro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 2000<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: Deep, Pride Bushido, MMA Xtreme, Cage of Combat<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 14 fights, <strong>9 wins<\/strong> (2 KO, \u00a07 Submission), 5 losses<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: August 18, 2001, TKO win (broken arm) over Kengo Watanabe, Deep<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: February 27, 2010, TKO loss to Yamamoto Hanshi, Cage of Combat<\/p>\n<h3><strong>MASAKATSU FUNAKI, <\/strong><em>DDT, NJPW, AJPW<\/em><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5238\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5238\" style=\"width: 400px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5238\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/masakatsu-funaki-06.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/masakatsu-funaki-06.jpg 400w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/masakatsu-funaki-06-286x300.jpg 286w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5238\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: DREAM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Pro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 1985<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: Pancrase, DREAM<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 53 fights, <strong>39 wins<\/strong> (4 KO, 34 Submission, 1 DEC), 13 losses, 1 draw<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: September 21, 1993, Submission loss to Ken Shamrock, Pancrase<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: December 16, 2012, Draw with Volk Han, Volk Han Retirement Match, Rings<br \/>\nAJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, Pro Wrestling Zero-1 World Heavyweight Champion, 2x King of Pancrase; founded Pancrase with Minoru Suzuki and Ken Shamrock.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>BOB SAPP, <\/strong><em>NJPW<\/em><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5237\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5237\" style=\"width: 434px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5237\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/bob_sapp10.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"434\" height=\"650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/bob_sapp10.jpg 434w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/bob_sapp10-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/bob_sapp10-280x420.jpg 280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 434px) 100vw, 434px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5237\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: UFC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Pro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 2001<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: PRIDE, K-1, Strikeforce, ONE<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 30 fights, <strong>11 wins<\/strong> (8 KO, 3 Submission), 18 losses, 1 draw<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: April 28, 2002, Knocked out Yoshihisa Yamamoto, Pride<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: July 2, 2016, TKO loss to Aori Gele, Road FC<br \/>\nIWGP Heavyweight Champion, K-1 World Grand Prix<\/p>\n<h3><strong>KATSUYORI SHIBATA, <\/strong><em>NJPW<\/em><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5236\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5236\" style=\"width: 535px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-5236\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/20e5f0faeb57258cf9ff41d163bc193d.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"535\" height=\"535\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/20e5f0faeb57258cf9ff41d163bc193d.jpg 640w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/20e5f0faeb57258cf9ff41d163bc193d-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/20e5f0faeb57258cf9ff41d163bc193d-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/20e5f0faeb57258cf9ff41d163bc193d-420x420.jpg 420w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 535px) 100vw, 535px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5236\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: NJPW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Pro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 1999<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: Hero&#8217;s, DREAM, Deep, K-1<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 15 fights, <strong>4 wins<\/strong> (2 KO, 1 Submission, 1 DEC), 11 losses<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: May 15, 2004, Submission loss to Webster Dauphiney, Jungle Fight<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: August 26, 2011, TKO loss to Ryuta Sakurai, Deep<br \/>\n3x NEVER Openweight Champion, New Japan Cup, RevPro British Heavyweight Champion<\/p>\n<h3><strong>NAOYA OGAWA, <\/strong><em>NJPW<\/em><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5235\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5235\" style=\"width: 283px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5235\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/451_org_min.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"283\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/451_org_min.jpg 283w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/451_org_min-218x300.jpg 218w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 283px) 100vw, 283px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5235\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: NJPW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Pro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 1997<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: PRIDE<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 9 fights, <strong>7 wins<\/strong> (2 KO, 5 Submission), 2 losses<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: September 27, 1997, Submission\u00a0win over\u00a0Rens Vrolijk, Red Devil<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: December 31, 2005, Submission loss to Hidehiko Yoshida, PRIDE<br \/>\nNWA World Heavyweight Champion (NJPW)<\/p>\n<h3><strong>LUDVIG BORGA, <\/strong><em>WWF, NJPW<\/em><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5234\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5234\" style=\"width: 288px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5234\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/ludvig-borga-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"288\" height=\"361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/ludvig-borga-2.jpg 288w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/ludvig-borga-2-239x300.jpg 239w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 288px) 100vw, 288px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5234\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Pro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 1989<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: RINGS, UFC<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 4 fights, <strong>0 wins<\/strong>, 4 losses<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: January 25, 1995, KO loss to Dick Vrij, RINGS<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: May 30, 1997, Submission loss to Randy Couture, UFC<br \/>\nFought under his real name, <strong>Tony Halme<\/strong>, in MMA; had a more successful pro boxing career at the same time, going 13-6 (with 10 Knockouts) in 19 bouts; died in 2010 at the age of 47, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>JACK GALLAGHER, <\/strong><em>WWE, PROGRESS<\/em><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5232\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5232\" style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5232\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/CWC_07142016ca_744.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"615\" height=\"409\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/CWC_07142016ca_744.jpg 615w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/CWC_07142016ca_744-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5232\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Pro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 2006<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: GPUK, ICE FC<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 2 fights, <strong>2 wins<\/strong> (2 Submission)<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: December 20, 2015, Submission win over Stefan Cowley, GPUK<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: April 16, 2016, Submission win over Cesar Valencia, ICE FC<br \/>\n2x Futureshock Champion; competed in 2016 WWE Cruiserweight Classic; competed as <strong>Jack Caffey<\/strong> (his real last name) in MMA.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>THE GIANT SILVA, <\/strong><em>WWF<\/em><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5231\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/Giant_Silva-682x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"452\" height=\"679\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/Giant_Silva-682x1024.jpg 682w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/Giant_Silva-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/Giant_Silva-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/Giant_Silva-696x1044.jpg 696w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/Giant_Silva-280x420.jpg 280w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/Giant_Silva.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 452px) 100vw, 452px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Pro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 1997<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: PRIDE, K-1<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 8 fights, <strong>2 wins<\/strong> (2 Submission), 6 losses<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: December 31, 2003, Submission loss to Heath Herring, PRIDE<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: December 31, 2006, Submission loss to Akebono Taro, K-1<br \/>\nCompeted under his real name\u00a0<b>Paulo C\u00e9sar da Silva\u00a0<\/b>in MMA; member of <strong>The Oddities<\/strong> faction in the WWF during the Attitude Era, that also featured <strong>Luna Vachon<\/strong>, <strong>Kurrgan<\/strong>, <strong>George &#8220;The Animal&#8221; Steele<\/strong>, <strong>Golga<\/strong> (a masked <strong>Earthquake<\/strong>) and<strong> ICP <\/strong>(<strong>Insane Clown Posse<\/strong>).<\/p>\n<h3><strong>SHINSUKE NAKAMURA, <\/strong><em>NJPW, WWE<\/em><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5229\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5229\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5229\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/nakamura-988571-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/nakamura-988571.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/nakamura-988571-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/nakamura-988571-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/nakamura-988571-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/nakamura-988571-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/nakamura-988571-747x420.jpg 747w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5229\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Pro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 2002<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: Inoki, K-1<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 5 fights, <strong>3 wins<\/strong> (3 Submission), 1 loss, 1 no contest<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: December 31, 2002, Submission loss to Daniel Gracie, Inoki<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: May 22, 2004, Submission win over Alexey Ignashov, K-1<br \/>\n3x IWGP Heavyweight Champion, 5x IWGP Intercontinental Champion, New Japan Cup, G1 Climax, 2x NXT Champion<\/p>\n<p>Obviously several other wrestlers have attempted to enter the world of MMA &#8211; CM Punk, Dave Bautista and Kid Kash have all had one fight in the MMA world &#8211; but no one lasted more than an exhibition match other than the ones above. And apart from Giant Silva and (surprisingly) Shibata, most of them have faired pretty well. In fact, 2 of the first 3 men inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame began as professional wrestlers first before entering the world of MMA (Ken Shamrock and Dan Severn). &#8220;Filthy&#8221; Tom Lawlor actually started in pro wrestling first as well (he had a WWE try out prior to UFC) and tried to go back to it when he was suspended by UFC, but failed to make much impact.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>THE MMA FIGHTERS WHO ENTERED PRO WRESTLING<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>KUSHIDA<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5228\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5228\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5228\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/77efefb8785918373aaa606c885d09812be3d802_hq.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"397\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/77efefb8785918373aaa606c885d09812be3d802_hq.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/77efefb8785918373aaa606c885d09812be3d802_hq-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5228\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: NJPW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>MMA Debut: <\/strong>2003<strong><br \/>\nPro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 2006<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: ZST<br \/>\n<strong>Wrestled For: <\/strong>Hustle, AJPW, NJPW, Ring of Honor, CHIKARA<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 8 fights, <strong>6 wins<\/strong> (2 KO, 3 Submission, 1 DQ), 2 draws<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: June 1, 2003, DQ over Kenji Mizuno, ZST<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: January 23, 2005, Draw against Shinya Sato, ZST<br \/>\nZST Genesis Light Weight Tournament, 4x IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, 2x NJPW Best of Super Juniors Winner (&#8217;15, &#8217;17), NJPW Super J-Cup Winner (&#8217;16), 2x IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion (in TimeSplitters with Alex Shelley), ROG World Television Champion (current)<br \/>\nFought under his full name of Yujiro Kushida in MMA.<\/p>\n<p><strong style=\"color: #111111; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; line-height: 30px;\">IKUHISA MINOWA<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5227\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/20120123061410_1MG_5179.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/20120123061410_1MG_5179.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/20120123061410_1MG_5179-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>MMA Debut: <\/strong>1996<strong><br \/>\nPro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 2010<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: Pancrase, PRIDE, Deep, Hero&#8217;s, DREAM, Inoki<br \/>\n<strong>Wrestled For:\u00a0<\/strong>Inoke Genome Federation (IGF)<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 110 fights, <strong>62 wins<\/strong> (9 KO, 42 Submission, 11 DEC), 40 losses, 8 draws<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: March 30, 1996, Decision loss to Yuzo Tateishi, Lumax Cup<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: February 27, 2016, Decision loss to Yuya Shirai, Deep<br \/>\nDREAM Super Hulk Champion, Pancrase Neo Blood Tournament Winner (&#8217;99), PRIDE Welterweight Grand Prix Semifinalist (&#8217;05)<br \/>\nWore the mask as <strong>Tiger Mask V<\/strong> in\u00a0IGF (he was trained by the original Tiger Mask, <strong>Satoru Sayama<\/strong>)<\/p>\n<h3><strong>YUKIO SAKAGUCHI<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5225\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5225\" style=\"width: 400px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5225\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/7d430203.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/7d430203.jpg 400w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/7d430203-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/7d430203-280x420.jpg 280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5225\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: DDT<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>MMA Debut: <\/strong>2006<strong><br \/>\nPro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 2012<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: Pancrase<br \/>\n<strong>Wrestled For:\u00a0<\/strong>DDT<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 13 fights, <strong>6 wins<\/strong> (3 KO, 2 Submission, 1 DEC), 7 losses<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>:\u00a0September 16, 2006, KO win over Akihiro Ono, Pancrase<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match:\u00a0<\/strong>Septemberer 29, 2013, Submission loss to Takafumi Ito, Pancrase<br \/>\nDDT Openweight Champion, King of DDT (&#8217;15), 5x KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Champion, DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion<\/p>\n<h3><strong>BAS RUTTEN<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5224\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/2586782-296bas-belts.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"443\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/2586782-296bas-belts.jpg 350w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/2586782-296bas-belts-237x300.jpg 237w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/2586782-296bas-belts-332x420.jpg 332w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>MMA Debut: <\/strong>1993<strong><br \/>\nPro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 2000<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: Pancrase, UFCS<br \/>\n<strong>Wrestled For:\u00a0<\/strong>Battlarts, NJPW<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 33 fights, 28 wins (12 KO, 13 Submission, 3 DEC), 4 losses, 1 draw<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>:\u00a0September 21, 1993, KO win over Ryushi Yanagisawa, Pancrase<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: July 22, 2006, TKO win over Ruben Villareal, WFA<br \/>\nKing of Pancrase Openweight Champion, UFC Heavyweight Champion, <strong>UFC Hall of Fame<\/strong> (Class of &#8217;15)<\/p>\n<h3><strong>TANK ABBOTT<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5223\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5223\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5223\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/maxresdefault-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/maxresdefault.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/maxresdefault-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/maxresdefault-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/maxresdefault-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/maxresdefault-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/maxresdefault-747x420.jpg 747w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5223\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: UFC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>MMA Debut:<\/strong> 1995<br \/>\n<strong>Pro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 1999<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: UFC, Ultimate Ultimate, PRIDE, Strikeforce, KOTC<br \/>\n<strong>Wrestled For:\u00a0<\/strong>WCW<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 25 fights, <strong>10 wins<\/strong> (6 KO, 3 Submission, 1 DEC), 15 losses<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: July 14, 1995, KO win over John Matua, UFC<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: April 13, 2013, TKO loss to Ruben Villareal, KOTC<br \/>\nTank tanked in WCW.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>JOSH BARNETT<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5222\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5222\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5222\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/ben-rothwell-x-josh-barnett-ufc-new-jersey-janeiro-2016_571145_OpenGraphImage-1024x544.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"340\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/ben-rothwell-x-josh-barnett-ufc-new-jersey-janeiro-2016_571145_OpenGraphImage.png 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/ben-rothwell-x-josh-barnett-ufc-new-jersey-janeiro-2016_571145_OpenGraphImage-300x159.png 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/ben-rothwell-x-josh-barnett-ufc-new-jersey-janeiro-2016_571145_OpenGraphImage-768x408.png 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/ben-rothwell-x-josh-barnett-ufc-new-jersey-janeiro-2016_571145_OpenGraphImage-696x369.png 696w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/ben-rothwell-x-josh-barnett-ufc-new-jersey-janeiro-2016_571145_OpenGraphImage-1068x567.png 1068w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/ben-rothwell-x-josh-barnett-ufc-new-jersey-janeiro-2016_571145_OpenGraphImage-791x420.png 791w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5222\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: UFC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>MMA Debut:<\/strong> 1997<br \/>\n<strong>Pro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 2003<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: UFC, PRIDE, Strikeforce<br \/>\n<strong>Wrestled For:\u00a0<\/strong>NJPW, IGF, Impact Wrestling<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 43 fights, 35 wins (8 KO, 21 Submission, 5 DEC, 1 DQ), 8 losses<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: January 11, 1997, Submission win over Chris Chamos, UFCF<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: September 3, 2016, Submission win over Andrei Arlovski, UFC<br \/>\nPancrase Openweight Champion, PRIDE Heavyweight Grand Prix Runner-Up (&#8217;06), Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Runner-Up (&#8217;13), UFC Heavyweight Champion, Sherdog MMA Hall of Fame<br \/>\nYoungest UFC Heavyweight Champion in history; captured the title at 24 years old, when he defeated Randy Couture for belt in 2002.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>SHAYNA BASZLER<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5221\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5221\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5221\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/082_shayna_baszler_vs_sarah_dalelio.0.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/082_shayna_baszler_vs_sarah_dalelio.0.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/082_shayna_baszler_vs_sarah_dalelio.0-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5221\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: Invicta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>MMA Debut: <\/strong>2003<strong><br \/>\nPro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 2015<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: EliteXC, ShoXC, Invicta, UFC<br \/>\n<strong>Wrestled For:\u00a0<\/strong>AIW, SHIMMER, Stardom<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 26 fights, 15 wins (1 KO, 13 Submission, 1 DEC), 11 losses<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: October 31, 2003, Submission win over Tina Johnson, Reality Cage Fighting<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: February 25, 2017, Decision loss to Reina Miura, Deep<br \/>\nAIW Women&#8217;s Champion (current), DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion<br \/>\nIs part of the MMA world&#8217;s <strong>Four Horsewomen<\/strong>, with fellow MMA fighters <strong>Ronda Rousey<\/strong>, <strong>Marina Shafir<\/strong> (wife of WWE Superstar <strong>Roderick Strong<\/strong>), and <strong>Jessamyn Duke<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>DON FRYE<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5220\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/624081-frye.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"257\" height=\"406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/624081-frye.jpg 257w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/624081-frye-190x300.jpg 190w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 257px) 100vw, 257px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>MMA Debut: <\/strong>1996<strong><br \/>\nPro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 1997<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: UFC, Ultimate Ultimate, PRIDE, K-1, Hero&#8217;s, Deep<br \/>\n<strong>Wrestled For:\u00a0<\/strong>NJPW, AJPW<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 31 fights, 20 wins (7 KO, 11 Submission, 1 DEC, 1 DQ), 9 losses, 1 draw, 1 no contest<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: February 16, 1996, KO win over Thomas Ramirez, UFC<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: December 11, 2011, KO loss to Ruben Villareal, Gladiator<br \/>\nUFC 8 Tournament Winner, UFC 10 Tournament Winner, Ultimate Ultimate 1996 Tournament Winner, <strong>UFC Hall of Fame<\/strong> (Class of &#8217;16)<br \/>\nWas trained for pro wrestling by <strong>Curt Hennig<\/strong>; had a nearly eight year run in NJPW as one of the company&#8217;s top <em>gaijin<\/em> heels; he was handpicked to be NJPW Legend and WWE Hall of Famer <strong>Antonio Inoki<\/strong>&#8216;s final opponent for his retirement match in April of 1998.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>DANIEL PUDER<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5219\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5219\" style=\"width: 400px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5219\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/31264.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/31264.jpg 400w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/31264-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/31264-280x420.jpg 280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5219\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: Sherdog<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>MMA Debut: <\/strong>2003<strong><br \/>\nPro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 2004<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: Strikeforce, X-1, Call to Arms<br \/>\n<strong>Wrestled For:\u00a0<\/strong>WWE, ROH, NJPW<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 8 fights, 8 wins (2 KO, 3 Submission, 3 DEC), 0 losses<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: September 6, 2003, Decision win over Jay McCown, X-1<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: August 15, 2009, Decision\u00a0win over Mychal Clark, Call to Arms<br \/>\nWon the 4th edition of WWE Tough Enough in 2004; infamously tried to shoot wrestle Kurt Angle on live television and would have choked him out had ref Jimmy Korderas counted a 3-count on a non-fall to end it quickly; appeared at two WWE PPVs,\u00a0<em><strong>Armageddon &#8217;04<\/strong><\/em> and\u00a0<em><strong>Royal Rumble &#8217;05<\/strong><\/em>, before being released; following his release, he worked several shows for Ring of Honor and teamed with Shinsuke Nakamura in NJPW.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>MARK COLEMAN<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5218\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5218\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5218\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/101213-UFC-Mark-Coleman-DG-PI_2013101217452540_660_320.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/101213-UFC-Mark-Coleman-DG-PI_2013101217452540_660_320.jpg 660w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/101213-UFC-Mark-Coleman-DG-PI_2013101217452540_660_320-300x145.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5218\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: UFC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>MMA Debut: <\/strong>1996<strong><br \/>\nPro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 2000<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: UFC, PRIDE,<br \/>\n<strong>Wrestled For:\u00a0<\/strong>NJPW, AJPW, Hustle, Pro Wrestling Zero-1, IGF<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 26 fights, 16 wins (4 KO, 8 Submission, 4 DEC), 10 losses<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: July 12, 1996, Submission win over Moti Horenstein, UFC<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: February 6, 2010, Submission loss to Randy Couture, UFC<br \/>\nUFC Heavyweight Champion, UFC 10 Tournament Winner, UFC 11 Tournament Winner, <strong>UFC Hall of Fame<\/strong> (Class of &#8217;08), Pride 2000 Grand Prix Tournament Winner<br \/>\nCompeted in 1992 Summer Olympics for USA in Freestyle Wrestling; First UFC Heavyweight Champion; one of only two men to win tournaments in both UFC and PRIDE; holds record for fastest win in PRIDE history, 2 seconds, in a corner stoppage vs Kazuyuki Fujita in May, 2000<\/p>\n<h3><strong>DARIA BERENATO<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5217\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5217\" style=\"width: 659px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5217\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/daria-berenato-nxt-659x400.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"659\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/daria-berenato-nxt-659x400.jpg 659w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/daria-berenato-nxt-659x400-300x182.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 659px) 100vw, 659px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5217\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>MMA Debut: <\/strong>2014<strong><br \/>\nPro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 2015<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: CFL HD, University of MMA<br \/>\n<strong>Wrestled For:\u00a0<\/strong>NXT<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 3 fights, 2 wins (1 KO, 1 Submission), 1 loss<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: October 11, 2014, Submission win over Allenita Perez, CFL HD<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: March 8, 2015, Decision loss to Jasmine Pouncy, University of MMA<br \/>\nEntered WWE Tough Enough in 2015; although she didn&#8217;t win, she was signed by WWE and assigned to NXT; recently made her official NXT debut under the name <strong>Sonya Deville<\/strong> (she had a few appearances previously under her real name, primarily as enhancement).<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>MATT RIDDLE<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5216\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5216\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5216\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/matt-riddle-progress-wrestling-getty-ftr-032217_1fhf2drw6gy4313f6ar2v1vs07-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/matt-riddle-progress-wrestling-getty-ftr-032217_1fhf2drw6gy4313f6ar2v1vs07.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/matt-riddle-progress-wrestling-getty-ftr-032217_1fhf2drw6gy4313f6ar2v1vs07-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/matt-riddle-progress-wrestling-getty-ftr-032217_1fhf2drw6gy4313f6ar2v1vs07-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/matt-riddle-progress-wrestling-getty-ftr-032217_1fhf2drw6gy4313f6ar2v1vs07-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/matt-riddle-progress-wrestling-getty-ftr-032217_1fhf2drw6gy4313f6ar2v1vs07-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2017\/06\/matt-riddle-progress-wrestling-getty-ftr-032217_1fhf2drw6gy4313f6ar2v1vs07-747x420.jpg 747w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5216\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: Sporting News<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>MMA Debut: <\/strong>2008<strong><br \/>\nPro Wrestling Debut<\/strong>: 2014<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Promotions<\/strong>: UFC, Titan<br \/>\n<strong>Wrestled For:\u00a0<\/strong>EVOLVE, PROGRESS, RevPro, WCPW, wXw<br \/>\n<strong>MMA Record<\/strong>: 13 fights, 8 wins (1 KO, 1 Submission, 5 DEC, 1 DQ), 3 losses, 2 no contests<br \/>\n<strong>First MMA Match<\/strong>: June 21, 2008, Decision win over Dante Rivera, UFC Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale<br \/>\n<strong>Last MMA Match<\/strong>: February 28, 2014, Decision win over Michael Kulper, Titan<br \/>\nWWN Champion (current), PROGRESS Atlas Champion (current)<br \/>\nRetired from MMA in 2013 to become a professional wrestler; arguably one of the hottest indie wrestlers in the world right now<\/p>\n<p>As you can see, a fair share of MMA fighters have headed to the world of pro wrestling as well, although they don&#8217;t always become the huge stars they were in the MMA world. The transition to pro wrestling isn&#8217;t as easy as many MMA fighters think, as most discover. A few UFC legends, like Tito Ortiz and Quinton &#8220;Rampage&#8221; Jackson, tried to branch into pro wrestling with Impact Wrestling, but never really made much headway. NJPW&#8217;s Kushida and EVOLVE&#8217;s Matt Riddle are probably two of the most successful MMA fighters to ever transition to pro wrestling. Tank Abbott was the blurst.<\/p>\n<p>What former pro wrestlers would have done well in MMA had in existed more easily in the early days? What current MMA fighters will make the jump? Let us know in the comments below!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At last nights&#8217;s\u00a0UFC 212 event, it was announced that NJPW legend Kazushi Sakuraba was being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. A crowning achievement for the country of Japan (Sakuraba is only the 2nd Japanese fighter to win a title in UFC) and another nod of respect to the world of professional wrestling. Sakuraba [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":649,"featured_media":5206,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16,23,2,7,13,14,24,6,324,139,317,3],"tags":[57,921,922,620,142,751,752,920,47],"class_list":["post-5204","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aaa","category-ajpw","category-featured","category-impact","category-international","category-njpw","category-noah","category-north-america","category-other","category-ufc","category-women","category-wwe-universe","tag-brock-lesnar","tag-kazushi-sakuraba","tag-ken-shamrock","tag-minoru-suzuki","tag-mma","tag-matt-riddle","tag-ufc","tag-ufc-hall-of-fame","tag-wwe"],"modified_by":"Jamie Greer","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5204","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/649"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5204"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5204\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5206"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5204"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5204"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5204"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}