In an alternate universe, Baron Corbin could have been an accomplished fighter in the UFC instead of a WWE superstar!
In a newly-released interview with Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, Baron Corbin discussed his previous aspirations to compete on The Ultimate Fighter and potentially go on to fight in the UFC itself!
Corbin stated that he considered two career paths following the end of his professional American Football career in 2011: UFC fighter or WWE star. Ultimately, he received an opportunity in WWE first through a connection that has since led to his ongoing wrestling career.
However, the former United States Champion revealed that he still gets the urge to compete in combat sports occasionally and has even deliberated fighting Logan Paul‘s brother Jake in a mixed martial arts bout!
“I know that in the early stages of Ultimate Fighter, I was looking at going and being on the one with Rashad Evans and all those guys, but I had a football scholarship, and I was going to college, so I couldn’t do that.
When I was done playing football, I was asked at a table, I was sitting there with a guy who was a manager of a rock and roll band.” He’s like, ‘What do you want to do if you’re done playing football?’ I was like, ‘Man, I think I am done. My passion is not there for it.’ He’s like, ‘Do you want to do UFC?’ I said, ‘I either want to do UFC or WWE. So I’ve always been a massive WWE fan.’
He’s like, ‘I have a connection with WWE. It’s Neil, the music guy. Let me put a call into him, go see if you’d like it.’ Because that was the thing, it was like, I’m either gonna try to fight in the octagon, or I’m gonna go to WWE, and I had the opportunity for WWE first, and then that’s where they’re at.
“I still get that itch, though. I still am like, man, ‘Should I go try to do like a new NAGA Ju-Jitsu Tournament? Should I try to fight in the Golden Gloves again, or should I try to fight Jake Paul? It’s one of those things.”
Baron Corbin Is Set For A Major NXT Clash With Bron Breakker
At the moment, Corbin is a top star in NXT after returning to the brand a few months ago. The 39-year-old most notably faced Gable Steveson in his professional wrestling debut at NXT The Great American Bash in a match that ended in a double count-out.
Now, Corbin has his sights set on one of the black and gold brand’s biggest names – former NXT Champion Bron Breakker. The two have faced off in verbal battles over the last few weeks and will finally clash at NXT No Mercy on September 30th.
h/t to Fightful