10 Pro Wrestlers Who Could Have Been Stars In The UFC

8. Samoa Joe

Taynara Conti NXT
WWE

Samoa Joe is a fighter who practices several MMA disciplines, including Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has also worked with UFC veteran Justin McCully and has close ties to Tito Ortiz's Team Punishment. Clearly, he is someone very familiar with the sport of mixed martial arts.

Familiarity aside, Joe is also a former California State Judo Champion, which is a very solid background. Judoka's like former UFC champ Ronda Rousey and undefeated PFL star Kayla Harrison are two fighters who used their backgrounds to dominate the sport. Granted, Rousey and Harrison are far more accomplished practitioners than Joe was, but had he continued to pursue Judo full-time (or another type of martial art), he could have probably made some waves inside the Octagon.

At 41, particularly with the wear and tear professional wrestling has taken on his body, the window has likely closed on a possible MMA run. That being said, a young Samoa Joe in the UFC makes for a fun 'what if' discussion.

Contributor
Contributor

From 1999-2003 Jacques performed on the Florida independent pro wrestling circuit. He also has an amateur wrestling background and currently holds a certification in Krav Maga. Jacques graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2003, with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. He currently resides in Chicago, Illinois. Follow him on twitter @goodeals79.