Making The Jump: 5 Names Who Found Success In Both Wrestling & MMA

Kushida

MMA Record: 6-0

Whether it’s called the lightweight, cruiserweight or junior division, there’s one name that is among the best in the professional wrestling industry and that is Kushida. Kushida has held titles in organizations such as Ring of Honor, New Japan, All Japan and others across the world. But while he has the ability to steal the show as a professional wrestler, he’s shown skills as a mixed martial artist as well.

Kushida has a near perfect MMA record with six wins and two draws. Before he set himself up to put on great matches with the likes of Jushin Liger, Kota Ibushi, Zack Sabre Jr and Will Ospreay, Kushida was doing work in the MMA industry. From 2003 to 2005 he competed in some minor circuits that didn’t feature the big names of major promotions, but still allowed Kushida to cut his teeth as a MMA competitor.

In eight professional bouts he’s never suffered defeat; finishing two of his opponents by submission and the other four came via decision. He also has two draws on his MMA resume, one of which makes him the co-holder of the 2004 ZST Genesis Light Weight Tournament.

Kushida has blended his background in MMA into his professional wrestling style, but he’s done so in a way that’s different than many of the other men and women who’ve moved between both industries. Kushida can keep up with the best ground technicians like Sabre Jr, but also match the high-flying abilities used by Ospreay and others. He’s a 5-time winner of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title, 2-time winner of the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles, and won multiple Super Junior tournaments. Kushida deserves to be recognized as one of the top wrestlers in the sport, regardless of weight class.