Top 55 to be successful at both professional wrestling and mixed martial arts

1. Brock Lesnar

Actor | WrestleMania

Brock Lesnar was born on July 12, 1977 in Webster, South Dakota, USA as Brock Edward Lesnar. He is an actor, known for WrestleMania XIX (2003), Summerslam (2002) and WWE Unforgiven (2002). He has been married to Rena Mero since May 6, 2006. They have two children named, Turk & Duke. Lesnar also has...

2. Kazushi Sakuraba

Actor | Nagurimono

Kazushi Sakuraba was born on July 14, 1968 in Japan. He is an actor, known for Nagurimono (2005), Wrestle-1 Events (2013) and Baton (2009).

3. Masakatsu Funaki

Actor | Sutorîto faitâ II gekijô-ban

Masakatsu Funaki was born on March 13, 1969 in Aomori, Japan. He is an actor, known for Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie (1994), Shadow Fury (2001) and Godzilla: Final Wars (2004).

4. Ken Shamrock

Self | WWF St. Valentine's Day Massacre

Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American bare-knuckle boxing promoter and retired professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, and kick-boxer. He is best known for his time in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and other combat sports. A member of the UFC Hall of Fame, Shamrock is widely regarded as...

5. Ronda Rousey

Actress | Fast & Furious 7

Ronda Rousey burst onto the women's MMA scene in August of 2010. Born in Riverside County, California on February 1, 1987 to parents Ron Rousey and AnnMaria DeMars, little Ronda was born with an umbilical cord wrapped around her neck that damaged her vocal cords. She didn't speak coherently until ...

6. Don Frye

Actor | Gojira: Fainaru uôzu

Don Frye dominated the world of mixed martial arts for 6 straight years. A former pro boxer and a licensed firefighter, Don Frye made an impressive professional fight debut by knocking out 6'1", 410 pound Thomas Ramirez in 8 seconds. Frye captured his first Ultimate Fighting Championship on Feb. 16...

7. Chael Sonnen

Actor | Here Comes the Boom

Chael Sonnen was born on April 3, 1977 in West Linn, Oregon, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Here Comes the Boom (2012), Meet Dave (2008) and Grudge Match (2013). He is married to Brittany Smith. They have one child.

8. Dan Severn

Actor | WWE Monday Night RAW

Dan "The Beast" Severn is a legend in amateur and professional wrestling and Martial Arts. Born in Coldwater, Michigan, on June 9, 1959, he excelled in wrestling in both high school and college. A winner of over 500 amateur victories and numerous titles, he was an alternate on the USA Olympic ...

9. Kazuyuki Fujita

Actor | Di Gi Charat: A Trip to the Planet

Kazuyuki Fujita is known for Di Gi Charat: A Trip to the Planet (2001), Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2012 (2012) and New Japan Pro-Wrestling 30th Anniversary 1997-1999 (2002).

10. Bobby Lashley

Self | WWE Backlash

Hard-hitting and soft-spoken, Bobby Lashley has become one of the few rookies to have an impact in a major wrestling company like WWE (Formly WWF), making his mark for his suplexes, especially for his bell-to-belly suplexes.

Lashley Lashley attend Missouri Valley College, which he won three national...

11. Kiyoshi Tamura

Self | Pride Total Elimination

12. Bob Sapp

Actor | The Longest Yard

Robert Malcolm "Bob" Sapp born September 22, 1973] is an American professional wrestler, actor, comedian and former American football player best known for his career as a kick boxer and mixed martial artist. He is under contract with Rizin Fighting Federation. Sapp has a combined fight record of ...

13. Alberto Del Rio

Actor | WWE SmackDown

Alberto Del Rio was born on May 25, 1977 in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. He is an actor, known for WWE Smackdown! (1999), WWE NXT (2010) and WWE Raw (1993).

14. Justin McCully

Stunts | Level 26: Dark Prophecy

Justin McCully was born on February 18, 1976 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. He is an actor, known for Level 26: Dark Prophecy (2010), Force of Execution (2013) and Code of Honor (2016).

15. Sylvester 'Bear' Terkay

Actor | In the House

1993 NCAA Division I National Champion at Heavyweight for North Carolina State. Sylvester took 2nd at the NCAA championship in 1992 to future Olympic Champion and WWE superstar Kurt Angle (Angle Weight 210 lbs. and Terkey was 285 lbs. and their picture was featured in SI) He was a 3x All-American ...

16. Ron Michael Waterman

Actor | Camp Koba

Ron Waterman has a Master's Degree in Sports Administration, but is more widely recognized for his competition fighting in the Mixed Martial Arts. He fought in UFC 20 as well as UFC 21, 22 and UFC Japan, he was put in the first UFC Video Game on PlayStation before being offered a Pro Wrestling ...

17. Tokimitsu Ishizawa

Actor | New Japan Pro-Wrestling 30th Anniversary 1997-1999

Tokimitsu Ishizawa was born on August 5, 1968 in Japan. He is an actor, known for New Japan Pro-Wrestling 30th Anniversary 1997-1999 (2002), Ice Ribbon New Ice Ribbon #906 ~ Hamuko Hoshi, Miyako Matsumoto & Tsukasa Fujimoto 10th Anniversary Show (2018) and Collision in Korea (1995).

18. Paulo Silva

Actor | WWE Monday Night RAW

Brazilian basketball player, professional wrestler and mixed martial artist as the Giant Silva. He played for the Brazilian National Basketball Team in the preliminaries for the 1988 and 1992 Olympics. He signed with WWE in late 1997 and trained under Dory Funk Jr. and Tom Prichard. He wrestled for...

19. Tony Halme

Actor | Die Hard with a Vengeance

Tony Halme was born on January 6, 1963 in Helsinki, Finland. He was an actor, known for Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), Shadow Warriors (1995) and American Tigers (1996). He was married to Katja Talus. He died on January 8, 2010 in Helsinki, Finland.

20. Josh Barnett

Actor | Chuck Hank and the San Diego Twins

Josh Barnett was born on November 10, 1977 in Seattle, Washington, USA. He is an actor and director, known for Chuck Hank and the San Diego Twins, Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016) and Absolution (2015).

21. Sean O'Haire

Actor | WCW Monday Nitro

Sean O'Haire was born on February 25, 1971 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA. He was an actor, known for WCW Monday Nitro (1995), WCW Thunder (1998) and WWE Raw (1993). He was married to Joy Elizabeth. He died on September 9, 2014 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA.

22. Mike Polchlopek

Actor | WWF Action Zone

Mike Polchlopek was born on December 27, 1963 in Eddyville, Kentucky, USA. He is an actor, known for WWF Action Zone (1994), WWE Raw (1993) and WWF Superstars (1986).

23. Craig Pittman

Actor | WCW Monday Nitro

Craig Pittman was born on March 7, 1959 in Parris Island, South Carolina, USA. He is an actor, known for WCW Monday Nitro (1995), WCW Pro (1994) and WCW Slamboree '96: Lethal Lottery (1996).

24. Nobuhiko Takada

Actor | Super Hero Taisen GP: Kamen Rider 3

Nobuhiko Takada is known for Super Hero Taisen GP: Kamen Rider 3 (2015), Kimi ni shika kikoenai (2007) and Watashi no yasashikunai senpai (2010). He has been married to Aki Mukai since 1994.

25. El Canek

26. Yoshihiro Takayama

Actor | Silence

Yoshihiro Takayama is synonymous with the word tough. Growing up in Japan, he pursued a career in rugby and from there he moved on to the world of professional wrestling. At 6' 5" and 253 lbs the imposing Takayama wreaked havoc in the pro wrestling ranks. Among his signature moves, the "Everest" ...

27. Thomas Howard

Nacho Libre

Thomas Howard was born on December 26, 1969 in Huntington Beach, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Nacho Libre (2006), True Vengeance (1997) and Muay Thai Giant (2008).

28. Anthony Durante

Actor | ECW Hardcore TV

Anthony Durante was born on July 25, 1967 in Pennsylvania, USA. He was an actor, known for Eastern Championship Wrestling (1993), ECW Double Tables (1995) and ECW the Doctor Is In (1996). He died on September 25, 2003 in Westerly, Rhode Island, USA.

29. Bam Bam Bigelow

Actor | Major Payne

Scott Charles Bigelow was an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Bam Bam Bigelow. Recognizable by his close to 400-pound frame and the distinctive flame tattoo that spanned most of his bald head, Bigelow was hailed by Ryan Murphy (a writer for Bigelow's former employer WWE...

30. Takao Yoshida

Actor | ECW Hardcore TV

Takao Yoshida was born on October 26, 1973 in Japan. He is an actor and director, known for Eastern Championship Wrestling (1993), WWE Smackdown! (1999) and Active Advance Pro Wrestling (2AW) (2002). He has been married to Rachel Fantana since January 16, 2008. They have three children.

31. Jushin Liger

Actor | Stampede Wrestling

Jushin Liger was born on November 10, 1964 in Hiroshima, Japan. He is an actor, known for Stampede Wrestling (1957), WCW Monday Nitro (1995) and Kabuto-Ô Bîtoru (2005). He has been married to Jane Lee since January 14, 2002. They have two children.

32. Michiyoshi Ohara

Actor | WCW Thunder

Michiyoshi Ohara is known for WCW Thunder (1998), WCW Japan Supershow II (1992) and Pride 22: Beasts from the East 2 (2002).

33. Jerry Flynn

Actor | Blood of the Innocent

Jerry Flynn was born on March 31, 1960. He is an actor, known for Blood of the Innocent (1994), The White Raven (1998) and Polska smierc (1995).

34. David Abbott

Actor | WCW Monday Nitro

David "Tank" Abbott is mixed martial arts most controversial fighter. Born in 1965 in Huntingbeach, California, Abbott was a college wrestler who got interested in bare-knuckle fighting on the beaches of Southern California. The 6 feet 270 pound Abbott was undefeated in the art of Pit-Fighting. ...

35. Daniel Puder

Producer | Significance Breeds Success

Daniel Puder, born on October 9, 1981, first made a name for himself in high school. Puder finished first place in his weight division in the Central Coast Section amateur wrestling. He accomplished this while wrestling with a broken hand. The wrestling mat wasn't the only location where Puder ...

36. Akira Maeda

Actor | Yawara!

Akira Maeda is known for Yawara! (1989), The Legend of the Stardust Brothers (1985) and Midnight Journal (1990).

37. Naoya Ogawa

Actor | The Wolverine

Naoya Ogawa is known for The Wolverine (2013), Gôruden bouru (2002) and Bengoshi no kuzu (2006).

38. Wataru Sakata

Actress | Hyouteki 2: Target

Wataru Sakata is known for Hyouteki 2: Target (2009) and Bazooka!!! (2011).

39. Kensuke Sasaki

Actor | Briscoe Brothers - Sandy Fork Originals

Kensuke Sasaki was born on August 4, 1966 in Fukuoka, Japan. He is an actor, known for Briscoe Brothers - Sandy Fork Originals (2013), The Testament of Sister New Devil: Departures (2018) and New Japan Pro-Wrestling 30th Anniversary 1997-1999 (2002). He has been married to Akira Hokuto since ...

40. Genki Sudô

Actor | Rurôni Kenshin: Meiji kenkaku roman tan

Genki Sudô was born on March 8, 1978 in Koto, Tokyo, Japan. He is an actor and director, known for Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins (2012), R246 Story (2008) and Kamen Rider W Forever: A to Z/The Gaia Memories of Fate (2010).

41. Yoji Anjo

Self | AJPW Samurai TV

42. Geza Kalman

Self | Price of Glory 17: Merry Massacre

43. Glenn Kulka

Self | Off the Record

Glenn Kulka was born on March 3, 1964 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

44. Dave Bautista

Actor | Guardians of the Galaxy

David Michael Bautista, Jr. was born on January 18, 1969 in Washington, D.C., to Donna Raye (Mullins) and David Michael Bautista, a hairdresser. He has Filipino and Greek ancestry.

When WCW officials told him he'd never make it in sports entertainment, Bautista pushed himself to achieve his dream of...

45. Rodney Begnaud

Actor | WWE SmackDown

Rodney Begnaud was born on October 12, 1970 in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA. He is an actor, known for WWE Smackdown! (1999), Interdimensional Wrestling and WWE Raw (1993). He is married to Carlene Begnaud.

46. Phil Brooks

Actor | Girl on the Third Floor

Phillip Jack Brooks, better known by the ring name CM Punk, is an American Professional wrestler, comic book writer and former mixed martial artist.

Punk began his professional wrestling career on the American independent circuit, primarily with Ring of Honor (ROH) until 2005, when he signed with ...

47. Ikuhisa Minowa

Self | Ring of Honor Wrestling

48. Jeremiah Riggs

Self | Daisy of Love

Jeremiah Riggs is known for Daisy of Love (2009), WrestleMania XXVII (2011) and WWE Tough Enough (2001).

49. Tadao Yasuda

Self | NJPW Samurai TV

50. Steve Williams

Actor | WCW Monday Nitro

Longtime professional wrestler "Dr. Death" Steve Williams. Has wrestled in the U.S. in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), and well as in Japan and numerous other American promotions.

51. Nick Mitchell

Actor | WWE Monday Night RAW

Nick Mitchell was born on February 1, 1973 in Texas, USA. He is an actor, known for WWE Raw (1993), WWE Saturday Night's Main Event (2006) and WWE Tough Enough (2001).

52. David Cash

Actor | ECW Hardcore TV

David Cash was born on July 31, 1969 in Johnson City, Tennessee, USA. He is an actor, known for Eastern Championship Wrestling (1993), WWE Smackdown! (1999) and TNA iMPACT! Wrestling (2004).

53. Nathan Jones

Actor | Mad Max: Fury Road

Nathan Jones's saga is a tapestry of raw power and entertainment, woven from the rugged landscapes of Australia to the glitz of global arenas. A towering figure at 6' 11", he carved his niche as a colossus in strength athletics, power-lifting his way to stardom in the mid-90s. His moniker "Megaman"...

54. Aaron Aguilera

Actor | Slammed

Aaron Aguilera was born on February 28, 1977 in Orange, California, USA. He is an actor and editor, known for Slammed (2004), WWE Smackdown! (1999) and WWE Raw (1993). He has been married to Valerie Aguilera since September 9, 2004. They have two children.

55. Minoru Suzuki

Actor | Tsukigata Hanpeita

Minoru Suzuki is known for Tsukigata Hanpeita (1952), Glow of the Firefly (1958) and A Tale of Dung and Urine (1957).