Former UFC heavyweight champion set for professional wrestling return on WrestleMania weekend

MMA and pro wrestling were linked long before the WWE and UFC merged to form TKO in 2023.

Dana White didn’t get a fantastic response ultimately yr’s WrestleMania when being shown on the screens at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

‘The Grandest Stage of Them All’ is back in the identical constructing this weekend, where Brock Lesnar will step back contained in the ring following his return.

Nonetheless, ‘The Beast Incarnate’ won’t be the one former UFC champion who will likely be lacing up their boots over the approaching days.

4 legends. 1 room. 1 Survivor.

Josh Barnett headlines GCW’s Bloodsport in clash with Yuji Nagata on WrestleMania weekend

WrestleMania week in Las Vegas will bring with it countless other pro wrestling shows happening nearby for fans to attend.

GCW will likely be hosting the most recent installment of Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport on April 17 on the Horseshoe, with the previous UFC heavyweight champion headlining the cardboard.

Dana White questioned just what Barnett could have achieved if his title reign and first run within the promotion hadn’t ended shortly after he beat Randy Couture at UFC 36.

He’ll be taking over Japanese wrestling legend Yuji Nagata in his first match for the reason that Bloodsport event that took place in London, England last September.

Bloodsport’s fifteenth event also features former UFC and WWE star Shayna Baszler, who will likely be facing current WWE roster member Nattie Neidhart.

The cardboard also features fellow WWE athletes Pete Dunne, Timothy Thatcher, and Charlie Dempsey, alongside technical wrestling specialist Zack Sabre Jr.

Bloodsport has previously hosted matches with former MMA fighters like Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Matt Riddle, and Frank Mir.