The Other Ring: Former WWE Star Makes Pro MMA Debut

It’s a different world. Wrestlers have a difficult time in being seen as legitimate athletes. They have to do some very athletic things and their efforts are anything but easy. At the same time though, it can be difficult to shake the stigma of their matches being pre-determined. Occasionally a wrestler will try their hand at another sport though, which was the case again this week.

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Former WWE star Jack Claffey, better known as Jack Gallagher, competed in his professional MMA debut this weekend. Claffey fought Marlon Jones at FCC 32 and was defeated via TKO in the first round, with the event airing on UFC Fight Pass. Claffey posted a photo of himself and Jones following the fight. Following the end of his wrestling career, Claffey has competed in bare knuckle boxing and amateur mixed martial arts, compiling a 1-0 and 2-0 record respectively.

You might remember him. Check out Claffey in the wrestling ring:

Opinion: This is something that happens every so often and it can make for some interesting developments. I’m not sure how much of a future Claffey has in mixed martial arts but he did at least get inside the cage and fight. Claffey had a unique look in wrestling and it made sense for WWE to give him a shot. At the same time, it made sense for them to let him go after the SpeakingOut allegations against him, leaving him to try his hand here.