WWE champion Seth Rollins has said that he believes UFC fighters would struggle to handle the demanding schedule of WWE, despite the two sports sharing similarities.
UFC and WWE might be under the same umbrella, TKO Group Holdings. But let’s not kid ourselves. The similarities between MMA and professional wrestling don’t erase the massive differences between the two.
WWE champ Seth Rollins has something to say about this. He’s been pondering whether a UFC fighter could make it in the wrestling ring. He respects UFC fighters, no doubt about it. But he thinks the grueling WWE schedule might just be too much for them.
Take Ronda Rousey, for instance. The former UFC champ made the switch to WWE after her fighting days were done. But she didn’t work a full-time schedule. No televised events, premium cards like WrestleMania, or weekly “house shows” for local live crowds.
“I don’t want to knock Ronda Rousey. I love Ronda,” Rollins told ESPN. “She did a lot for our industry, for women in our industry and the fight industry in general. But it was tough for Ronda. She tried her damnedest and it was hard for her.”
He’s open to the idea of someone else trying, though. “But I don’t know, I’d love for somebody to come over and take a crack if you think you can hang. But it’s hard.”
UFC fighters don’t have an offseason. They train all year round but only step into the octagon two to three times per year.
Rollins gets it. MMA isn’t a walk in the park. But he insists it’s a whole different beast to endure the physical toll that WWE demands from full-time performers.
“They don’t have the stamina for it,” Rollins said. “They don’t fight every single weekend. This championship goes everywhere. It goes to like Biloxi, [Miss.]. And especially the top stars over there, they’re catered to a certain way, and that’s great. That’s their style. That’s what works for them. You fight maybe once, twice a year. You’re crazy, you’re fighting three times a year.
“But to fight over 100 times a year, make all those towns, still be able to train, still be able to do all the media, it’s an exhausting industry.”
Now, Rollins isn’t delusional. He doesn’t think he’d fare well if he decided to become a fighter.
He admires what UFC fighters do. But that doesn’t mean they’re cut out for professional wrestling. Still, he’s more than happy to invite them to give it a shot.
“I call them all out. I don’t care. Try it out,” Rollins said. “I can’t do what they do. I’d go in there and get knocked out and choked out in two seconds. I’d probably do better than [CM] Punk, but I still would lose most likely.”
“They can’t come and do what we do either. They’re the same umbrella but two totally different worlds.”