10 MMA Fighters Who Became Pro Wrestlers
2. Shayna Baszler
Shayna Baszler was a trailblazer in the early days of women's MMA.
Making her professional debut way back in 2003, Baszler would compete across the world earning victories over fellow pioneers such as Roxanne Modafferi, Jan Finney, and Julie Kedzie as women's MMA fought to be recognised as a legitimate sport in the face of protests from the mainstream media.
Unfortunately for Baszler, by the time her friend Ronda Rousey had pushed open the door for women to compete in the UFC, Baszler was past her fighting prime, and despite being featured as a castmate on the 17th season of The Ultimate Fighter, Shayna failed to pick up a win in two appearances in the Octagon.
After leaving MMA, Baszler would train under fellow fighter turned pro wrestler Josh Barnett and made her debut in the ring in 2015.
Utilising the hard-hitting catch wrestling style that brought her success throughout her MMA career, Baszler has proved to be a natural in the ring, being signed by WWE and winning the NXT Women's Championship a record two times.