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8-0 MMA Prospect To Make Pro Wrestling Debut Against Former WWE Star Matt Riddle

With an undefeated record of 8-0, flyweight talent Phumi Nkuta is someone that fight fans have had their eyes on for some time. The CFFC and Peak Fighting champion is a name that has been tipped for big things but it looks like his MMA career is being put on hold. If there’s one thing […]

If there’s one thing that has held Nkuta back in his MMA career, it’s his activity after he had nearly two years out from 2021-2023 due to an injury. Now, he’s looking to progress in a new field by making his professional wrestling debut as House Of Glory’s upcoming event in New York.

On December 20, HOG “Live For The Moment” will take place at the NYC Arena with a card that boasts the HOG return of one of the most iconic teams in all of wrestling, The Hardy Boyz. Nkuta will also feature on the card against a name and face that will be familiar to both wrestling and MMA fans.

Matt Riddle came into the UFC via the seventh season of The Ultimate Fighter and would go on to fight inside the Octagon 12 times before being released from the promotion in 2013. Aside from one comeback fight earlier this year in Titan FC, Riddle then left MMA behind to pursue pro wrestling where he would go on to become a major star in the WWE.

Following several suspensions and controversies, he left the WWE in 2023 and has been working for several other promotions on the independent circuit ever since. He recently made his debut for TNA at their “Turning Point” event on November 29. Now, it will be him that is welcoming an MMA fighter through the ropes on December 20.

Former WWE Superstar Matt Riddle open to making UFC return: ‘I can communicate with anybody’

Former UFC fighter turned professional wrestler Matt Riddle is open to making a move back to the Octagon. Riddle,…

Former UFC fighter turned professional wrestler Matt Riddle is open to making a move back to the Octagon.

Riddle, who made his UFC debut as part of The Ultimate Fighter 7 in 2008, went on to have a fairly successful career in mixed martial arts, amassing an 8-3 record with all, but one of his fights coming under the UFC banner. Unfortunately, Riddle found himself in a bit of hot water with the Nevada State Athletic Commission on more than one occasion.

Following a submission victory of Chris Clements in July 2012, the bout was overturned after Riddle tested positive for marijuana. Less than a year later, a split decision win in his favor was also changed to a no-contest after he once again tested positive for marijuana. Riddle was subsequently released from the promotion.

Without positive marijuana tests, Riddle would have held a record of 10-3 with a five-fight win streak.

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After one fight with Titan FC, Riddle closed the book on his combat sports career and made the move to sports entertainment. Developing a massive fan following on the indie scene, he signed with the WWE in 2018 and spent five years with the promotion before parting ways in late 2023.

Matt Riddle Doesn’t See Dana White Taking His Call

During a sit-down interview with Chris Van Vliet, Riddle revealed that he would be more than willing to speak with Dana White regarding a return to the Octagon, but he can’t realistically see the UFC CEO taking his call at this point.

“I mean, I can communicate with anybody,” Riddle said. “I’ll talk to anybody, I don’t mind. I don’t think he would take my call and I don’t blame him. I mean, he’s got a lot going on and if I fought 10 times or maybe five times, I knocked out five people in a row right now, and I’m like the best in the world I might get a call.

“But if I’m not fighting top talent and beating top talent, he runs the UFC, he runs the best fighting organization in the world and he’s not in it for, per se, money fights. They have been in the past, but I don’t think that’s his objective. I think his objective is to add the top-ranked fighters and see who the best in the world is, and by default, you’re probably gonna get entertainment out of that” (h/t MMA Knockout).

Riddle added that he is also open to potentially competing in the Professional Fighters League, so long as they come correct with their offer.

Jake Paul reportedly in talks to fight recently released WWE Superstar

Jake Paul’s next bout could come against former UFC fighter and WWE Superstar Matt Riddle. That is according to a report in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter which claims that the two parties are in preliminary talks for a matchup that could see them compete in either boxing or mixed martial arts. “There were at least […]

Jake Paul’s next bout could come against former UFC fighter and WWE Superstar Matt Riddle.

That is according to a report in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter which claims that the two parties are in preliminary talks for a matchup that could see them compete in either boxing or mixed martial arts.

“There were at least talks that were expected to take place this week regarding Jake Paul vs. Matt Riddle,” according to the newsletter (via BodySlam.net). “At best, the talk right now should be categorized as very preliminary.

“Ultimately it’s a call that will be made on Paul’s side. If it’s boxing rules, it’s likely an easy safe fight for Paul and Riddle would be doing it for a payday. If it’s MMA rules, it’s intriguing because Paul would be younger and has been fighting while Riddle hasn’t, and the size isn’t an issue like it was with Paul boxing guys like Nate Diaz and Tyron Woodley.

“But Riddle has kept up his jiu-jitsu training throughout his WWE career. There are wrestling companies who have shown interest but no deal is believed to be close to happening nor could any until 12/20.”

Currently, Jake Paul is two months removed from scoring his seventh career win inside the boxing ring, defeating ex-UFC fan favorite Nate Diaz in an entertaining 10-round scrap and is gearing up to watch his brother, Logan Paul, return to the ring for a clash with BJJ specialist Dillon Danis on October 14.

We went from Dave reporting "most pro wrestling companies of any size" to "several" seemingly realizing that AEW is not going to sign his secret friend Riddle and is instead pretending there is a chance he can fight Jake Paul under MMA rules. https://t.co/O9sSVXXclw pic.twitter.com/VhgqGzfDR6

— Nationally Published Troll (@mongo_ebooks) October 6, 2023

Matt Riddle’s Recent WWE Release Could Lead Him to a Big-Money Fight with Jake Paul in the PFL

While most will know Matt Riddle for his work in professional wrestling, longtime UFC fans likely recall Riddle as being one of the more promising competitors in the promotion’s welterweight division for a period of time. Making his debut in 2008, Riddle won five of his first six bouts. Unfortunately, his career in combat sports came to a halt after testing positive for marijuana twice in the span of seven months, turning two of his victories into no contests.

Riddle was ultimately released from the UFC and made one more appearance in MMA before turning his attention to sports entertainment.

Rising through the ranks, Riddle signed with the WWE in 2018 and became one of the promotion’s more popular acts. Sadly, history repeated itself as Riddle had been found in violation of the WWE’s wellness policy on two separate occasions. That matched with a sexual assault allegation levied against him by indie wrestler Candy Cartwright and his heavily publicized relationship with adult film star Misha Montana was all the WWE needed to finally part ways with Riddle.

The WWE released Riddle in September 2023 and he will remain under a 90-day non-compete clause before he can make a return to the spotlight with a different organization.

With the PFL gearing up for a push into its pay-per-view era, could we see Matt Riddle make a return to mixed martial arts for a showdown with Jake Paul inside the Smart Cage?

Recent WWE Signee Matt Riddle Admits He Misses MMA

The newly signed WWE star Matt Riddle admits he misses fighting in MMA, where he once competed under the UFC banner.

The post Recent WWE Signee Matt Riddle Admits He Misses MMA appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Matt Riddle has signed with WWE.

Riddle, a former competitor on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), fought all but one of his professional MMA fights in the UFC’s Octagon. Riddle would’ve had a four-fight win streak with the UFC at one point. Unfortunately, two of his victories were reversed to No Contests due to a pair of failed tests for *********.

Following his second failed test for *********, Riddle was released from the promotion. He fought once more in Titan FC, winning via second-round submission, before making the transition into professional wrestling.

Riddle had a tremendous amount of success on the independent scene before catching the attention of WWE. The professional wrestling juggernaut scooped Riddle up and inked him to a developmental contract. Riddle tells MMA Junkie that, despite his success in professional wrestling, he does miss fighting in MMA:

“I do miss it,” Riddle said. “I watch the fights. I watched Tyron Woodley dominate this week. I feel bad for the fighters and I know exactly – things are a little different now – but I know my world when I was in MMA, everything was tough.

“Life was just so tough. Everything was a struggle. Bills were a struggle. Even when you’re on top in the UFC, you only get paid a couple times a year. I’m just really glad to have that all behind me and focus on my craft.”

Riddle is one of several mixed martial artists who have made the switch over to professional wrestling. Most recently; Ronda Rousey, Jessamyn Duke, Tom Lawlor, Shayna Baszler, and many more have moved over. Riddle said that it takes more than just the ability to do moves and be athletic to be a wrestler – you need charisma:

“There’s a lot of people making the transition and doing it well,” Riddle said. “There are other guys that are doing great – and women – you’ve got Ronda and Shayna (Baszler), Jessamyn Duke. You’ve got Tom Lawlor, you’ve got me.

“There’s a lot of guys like ‘King Mo,’ for example, who is a big fan of professional wrestling, world-class fighter, world-class athlete, but I don’t think he’s the greatest pro wrestler. It’s more than moves and athleticism. It’s that charisma.”

The post Recent WWE Signee Matt Riddle Admits He Misses MMA appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Matt Riddle Speaks on Possibility of UFC Return

Newly signed WWE star Matt Riddle speaks on the possibility of returning to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Riddle has made quite a name for himself in the world of professional wrestling. After being released from the UFC following failed dr…

The post Matt Riddle Speaks on Possibility of UFC Return appeared first on MMA News.

Former UFC Fighter Matt Riddle Signs with WWE

Former UFC fighter Matt Riddle has signed with World Wrestling Entertainment where he will begin working under the NXT brand in the near future. Are you as excited to see #MattRiddle in Brooklyn as HE is to BE in Brooklyn?!@SuperKingofBros #NXTTakeOver…

The post Former UFC Fighter Matt Riddle Signs with WWE appeared first on MMA News.