There is a long history of pro wrestlers making the jump to MMA, and the results of these attempts are extremely varied.
Brock Lesnar was undeniably the most high profile pro wrestler to make this move, and he realized incredible heights in doing so, winning the UFC heavyweight title from Randy Couture back in 2008, and defending that title against top opposition in Frank Mir and Shane Carwin. Former TNA and WWE star Bobby Lashley has realized comparable success, leaning on his collegiate wrestling background to establish himself as one of the best heavyweights on the Bellator roster.
Then, of course, there are the pro wrestlers whose MMA dreams have been downright disasters. This, as every fight fan remembers, was the case when WWE superstar CM Punk made his MMA debut in September of this year. Despite two years of training and a memorable display of heart, Punk was completely outclassed by his opponent Mickey Gall, as he wilted under a storm of ground and pound and ultimately submitted to a first-round rear-naked choke.
When TNA, ECW and WWE veteran Kid Kash made the second effort of his ill-advised MMA career this weekend, the results were quite similar to those of Punk’s September debut. The pro wrestling veteran, who is now 47 years old, made this sophomore appearance at Valor Fights 38 in Nashville, Tennessee. This fight pitted him against the much younger Lindsey Jones, who was making his pro debut, and it was over as quickly as it began. Moments into the fight, Jones began to overwhelm the pro wrestling veteran with his rangy standup attack. At the 39-second mark he rendered him supine with an onslaught of uppercuts, and that was that.
In advance of this disastrous fight, Valor Fights claimed that Kid Kash was the owner a 7-3 record, constructed mainly in unsanctioned fights. The only verifiable fight of the pro wrestler’s fighting career, however, occured back in 2008, when he gave up a decision in a foul-filled bout against Bryan Brown.
What do you think of the trend of pro wrestlers making the move to MMA? Sound off, PENN Nation!
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