Fight fans are abuzz with the recent announcement that UFC 5 is currently in production, with a release date set to be revealed in September. The game will look to build on the success of its predecessor, which was one of the most complete UFC gaming titles in a long time.
An interesting development may have an impact on UFC 5, with wrestling giant WWE completing a merger with UFC to form TKO Group Holdings. With this new relationship, fans may see some cross-over between the sports. With this in mind, there are a few WWE stars with some combat skills of their own that could stand toe to toe with some of the top athletes in the UFC's next game.
10 Baron Corbin
Having now dropped the Happy Corbin persona, Baron Corbin is reestablishing himself as the Lone Wolf that brought him success in the WWE ring. He is the least likely to be included in the next UFC game; however, he makes an appearance on his list due to his boxing accolades.
Corbin is a multi-sport athlete, having joined the training camps for multiple NFL teams, as well as seeing success as an amateur boxer. A two-time Golden Gloves boxing champion, he wouldn't be a total stranger inside the UFC cage.
9 Sonya Deville
From general manager to title contender, Sonya Deville has been just about everywhere in WWE in recent years. However, what is less known about the Raw star is that she had a few professional MMA fights prior to joining the WWE. With a very respectable record of 2-1, which included wins via technical knockout and submission, Deville is underrated as a martial artist.
Deville's well-rounded skill set could see her included in UFC 5 should WWE push for a few of their stars in the game. However, given she is not in the top echelon of talent in the WWE right now, it doesn't seem likely.
8 Chad Gable
Highly regarded among wrestling fans as an underrated entertainer and athlete, the leader of the Alpha Academy Chad Gable had a very successful run as an Olympic wrestler prior to joining the WWE. Drawing comparisons to Hall-of-Famer Kurt Angle, Gable was also a member of the US Olympic team, representing his country in freestyle wrestling.
Given his impressive resume as a wrestler, Gable would be a perfect fit for the next UFC title. Wrestlers are among some of the most successful fighters in the cage, and Gable would be a real threat when he shoots for the takedown.
7 Shayna Baszler
Before she was putting her in-ring opponents to sleep with a nasty choke, Shayna Baszler was a professional mixed martial artist whose skills got her to the top company in MMA. She was a contestant on the Ultimate Fighter as a member of Ronda Rousey's team.
Unfortunately, Baszler would not see success in the UFC, losing consecutive fights to former contender Bethe Correia and former champion Amanda Nunes. Given her short time in the company, it seems less likely that the Queen of Spades will be in UFC 5, but given the merger between the two companies, it is a possibility.
6 Roman Reigns
While he is not known for his abilities as a combat specialist, the current WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns has been one of the company's biggest draws over the last decade. He has been involved in some of the best story-telling that has been seen since the WWE's Attitude and Ruthless Aggression eras, and his dominance has been on display, going over 1,200 days without losing a pin.
Reigns' inclusion in UFC 5 would be a symbol of the bond that the UFC and WWE now share, given he is the WWE's biggest star. While his skills as a martial artist might require some imagination from the development team, it would be safe to say his arsenal would include a particularly potent Superman Punch.
5 Matt Riddle
Before the Original Bro was rolling down to the ring in a scooter and a pair of flip-flops, he was a professional mixed martial artist. In fact, fans may not know that Riddle was on the UFC roster for a period of time and a contestant in the company's reality show, The Ultimate Fighter.
After a fairly successful career in the UFC, Riddle would make the transition to WWE in 2018, joining the developmental brand NXT. Given his previous appearances in the UFC, he could appear as a playable fighter.
4 Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley is up there with fellow MMA and WWE superstar Brock Lesnar as one of the scariest-looking athletes to ever step foot in the cage and wrestling ring. The 47-year-old has sported an incredible physique and elite athleticism to match, which he has converted to success in sports time and time again.
While Lashley was a successful MMA fighter, with an impressive record of 15-2, the one roadblock to his appearance in UFC 5 may be his previous affiliation with the company's main competitor, Bellator. However, given that WWE and UFC have undergone a merger, The Almighty may be a great novelty inclusion to the game.
3 Logan Paul
Fans can argue whether Logan Paul has been truly tested in combat sports to call himself a wrestler or boxer, but his popularity as a social media sensation has opened plenty of doors to convert his athleticism into huge opportunities. Since arriving on the scene as an athlete, Paul has gone the distance with Floyd Mayweather and featured in two WrestleManias, feats that some work their entire lives for.
What makes Logan Paul an interesting for the next UFC game is the business relationship that exists between the UFC and Paul's energy drink brand, Prime. Given he is contracted to the WWE and is sponsoring UFC events with his brand, it would not be surprising to see him appear as a playable fighter or DLC in UFC 5.
2 Ronda Rousey
A pioneer of women's MMA and the first-ever woman to hold a championship in the UFC, Ronda Rousey was one of the biggest influences on including women's divisions in the company. Regardless of how fans may feel about her hot-and-cold run as a professional wrestler, there is no denying the impact that her involvement has had on both companies.
It would appear that Rousey's time with WWE is coming to an end, and there is no telling what the future has in store for the master of the armbar. Still, it wouldn't feel right to not have her included in UFC's next game.
1 Brock Lesnar
Having become the first athlete in history to hold championships in both the UFC and WWE, Brock Lesnar burst onto the MMA scene and proved that there was more to the Beast than his freakish physique. After a successful rookie tenure with WWE, Lesnar moved into the UFC and quickly propelled himself to the top of the food chain after beating Randy Couture for the heavyweight championship.
After a successful stint in the UFC, Lesnar would return to the WWE as dominant as ever, adopting his previous run in the cage into his new persona that would see him include some real-life MMA submissions in his wrestling repertoire. Considering his impact on both businesses and the fact he has been featured in the games of both companies, Lesnar is all but guaranteed to be included in the UFC 5 roster.
UFC 5 is currently in production. The release date is scheduled to be announced in September 2023.