Does WWE want to sign UFC lightweight star Michael Chandler? The long-time MMA fighter seems to think so.
Despite being very different industries, there isn’t just a crossover between WWE and the UFC among fans. For years, we have seen competitors from one industry make a go of it in the other. UFC greats and veterans like Ken Shamrock, Ronda Rousey, Dan Severn, Matt Riddle, and Shayna Baszler went from the cage to the ring. While Brock Lesnar, Bobby Lashley, and CM Punk have competed in multiple MMA fights.
Well, former Bellator champion Michael Chandler believes he could be the next. “When’s Wrestlemania? [April] So we can’t do Wrestlemania. SummerSlam is in August? Minneapolis in August. Me versus Logan Paul,” the 33-fight veteran told Chris VanVliet.
“We’ve got a lot of talks to happen between now and then,” he added. “Obviously, they know I’m interested. I believe they’re interested. So we’ll see where we’re at.”
- Michael Chandler record: 23-10 (11 KOs, 7 submissions)
Would WWE actually sign Michael Chandler?
In the conversation, Chandler revealed he has been a wrestling fan at different points in his life. Like many of us, he was big into the industry during the late 1990s and the Attitude Era, and has actually gotten back into it big-time recently. He also mentioned he has been friends with WCW legend and WWE Hall of Famer “Diamond” Dallas Page for a long time.
Chandler has an interest in making a jump to WWE, but how realistic is it? It is 50-50, but the sooner he starts, the better. He will be 40 in April, and that is pushing the age limits to start a career in pro wrestling. Fortunately for Chandler, he has always been in fantastic shape and would be at a higher level of athleticism in WWE.
If he were to take part in a few matches, he could be very entertaining. But for an extended career at this point in his life seems unlikely. Firstly, his walk-around weight is probably around 180 pounds, which is on the smaller side for a lot of men’s WWE wrestlers. Plus, while he is a popular UFC fighter, he is not one at the level of Ronda Rousey, where a massive fanbase comes with him.
Chandler could eventually compete for the company, but Cain Velasquez’s failed jump to the WWE a few years ago shows that more than a couple of matches is far easier said than done.
