From the Ring to the Octagon: WWE Stars Who Entered the UFC

The lines between sports entertainment and real combat sports are often blurred, but very few athletes have successfully walked both paths. Transitioning from the scripted theatrics of WWE to the unforgiving reality of the UFC Octagon is no easy feat—yet a handful of brave competitors have made the leap. Here’s a look at the most notable WWE stars who fought under the UFC banner.

Brock Lesnar

The most iconic crossover of them all, Brock Lesnar is a genetic freak who dominated both worlds. After becoming a WWE superstar in the early 2000s, Lesnar shocked the world by entering the UFC in 2008. Despite limited MMA experience, he captured the UFC heavyweight title by defeating Randy Couture at UFC 91. His raw power, wrestling background, and freakish athleticism helped him defend the belt twice before retiring (temporarily) due to health issues. He remains the gold standard of WWE-to-UFC transitions.

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CM Punk

Phil “CM Punk” Brooks made headlines when he signed with the UFC in 2014. With no previous pro fighting experience, his jump was widely criticized—and the results didn’t help his case. He suffered a one-sided submission loss to Mickey Gall in his debut and dropped a decision to Mike Jackson in his second (later overturned to a no-contest). Though his UFC run was unsuccessful, Punk’s leap still earned respect for his willingness to compete under real pressure.

Ronda Rousey (UFC to WWE, but worth a mention)

While not a WWE-to-UFC transition, Ronda Rousey deserves a nod for the reverse path. After dominating the UFC women’s division and becoming its first bantamweight champion, Rousey later moved to WWE, where she quickly became a top star. Her journey showcased how elite MMA athletes can also thrive in the world of sports entertainment.