Before becoming one of professional wrestling’s most promising young stars, Matt Riddle was a standout mixed martial artist. Riddle racked up an impressive four-fight win streak in the UFC. Unfortunately, two of those wins were overturned to No Contests due to Riddle’s marijuana use. He was subsequently released from the promotion and later went to the Titan FC organization. He won his debut fight with them via second-round submission.
However, this was the last fight Riddle would participate in before transitioning to professional wrestling. Riddle made quite the name for himself on the independent circuit, quickly becoming one of the industry’s hottest prospects. Eventually, WWE decided to bring him in last summer. He was signed to a developmental contract and currently competes in NXT.
Recently, Riddle was a guest on the “E&C’s Pod Of Awesomeness.” During the show, Riddle discussed his transition from MMA to wrestling. Riddle revealed that, before becoming a wrestler, he still had aspirations of being a world champion in MMA after his UFC release. He planned on pursuing a title in Bellator MMA or Titan FC:
“Once I got fired from the UFC, [pro wrestling] was [an option], but, at the same time, I hadn’t held a world title yet and I was already ranked top 10 in the UFC, which means I could probably hold a world title in basically any other company. I just wanted to win a title either in Bellator or Titan FC.”
What do you think about Riddle saying he once hoped to be a champion in MMA before transitioning to pro wrestling?
H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions
