Biggest Wrestling to MMA Crossover

[BC1978]

I had an argument with a coworker on who the biggest star to transition from Wrestling to MMA was and I felt it Ken Shamrock but he felt it was Lesnar.

Ken started out in Pro Wrestling in SAPW/NAWA in 1988 and then went to Shoot-Fighting in Japan before he went to the UFC and then tried his hand back in the WWF.

 

[Degenerate88]

I'm going to have to agree with your co-worker. Lesnar is a much bigger star than Shamrock ever was. In both sports for that matter.

Brock Lesnar leaped to the top of the WWE in a short period of time and it was incredible to watch his progress from the moment he debuted to the not so incredible departure that is WrestleMania 20. The UFC seemed no different. Lesnar was the UFC Heavyweight Champion in no time, beating one of UFC's legends, Randy Couture.

Everyone knows the missing pieces, but regardless, i'd say Lesnar transitioning to MMA was much bigger than Shamrock.

 

[Mr Mikey Mike]

This shouldn't even be a real question.

 

[King Patrick Star]

Prior to 2007, I would have said Ken Shamrock. After 2008, I think the biggest SuperStar to transition from Wrestling to Mixed Martial Arts is Brock Lesnar. I don’t think it’s even close.

 

[Vega]

I think Shamrock is really underrated, but Lesnar achieved much more wrestling wise, not sure about MMA. If you'd ask people on the street few would know Lesnar probably, but almost no one would know Shamrock.

However, the correct answer is probably Inoki, if we only count modern times.

 

[BaconBits]

Brock Lesnar was clearly the biggest wrasslin' to mma crossover star. It's not even debatable. He was a giant star and huge draw for the WWE and was the biggest draw in mixed martial arts history.

That doesn't mean he the best fighter, though. Shamrock is really underrated as a fighter, because of the joke he has become. I never thought he was much of a pro wrestler, though.

Now, if the subject was who is the best mma/wrestling crossover ability-wise, the answer is Josh Barnett. He is a great fighter and a great professional wrestler. He has the best of both worlds and no other guy that has transitioned between the two disciplines is as skilled at both as he is, and nobody else is even close.

 

[Poop Master Flex]

Lesnar hands down. He has done very well in both MMA and WWE and in both place ruled the roost in a very short time. I really don't think its even a competition in the slightest.

 

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Yeah...this isn't even close.

 

[Dirk]

Dave Batista FTW. JK

 

[ヒュー　G.　レックション]

BOBBY LASHLEY *canned pop*