Matt Riddle has become a well-known name in the MMA world and the WWE Universe. The Las Vegas native is among the few athletes who transcended both worlds, putting him in rare company. From Brock Lesnar to CM Punk, Riddle has some notable names that he’s joined.
But with the pro wrestler no longer with WWE, he’s looking at other avenues. With that lies a potential reunion with the UFC, where “Chipper” got his start.
But could Riddle return to the Las Vegas-based promotion? Is there potential for him to impact UFC positively? Here’s a look at how he could fit and why he should stick to professional wrestling.
The Case for Riddle in the UFC
One major plus of Matt Riddle returning to the UFC is his athletic ability. Even at 38 years old, “Chipper” looks like he’s in his 20’s. In fact, he still moves around the ring like he’s 10 years younger. His sheer athleticism would make him a good fit for the promotion.
“Chipper” would also be an interesting story entering the promotion. With past WWE superstars like Lesnar being successful in the UFC, who says Riddle can’t be successful in his own right?
After all, he beat future UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones twice in high school. Yes, that seems like years ago and would make him look like he’s experiencing a mid-life crisis. However, that shows he has the potential to win a big fight.
Why Matt Riddle Can’t Come Back
For one, Matt Riddle (8-3, 2 NC) doesn’t have the cleanest reputation in the world. Aside from sexual assault allegations, he failed multiple drug tests before departing the WWE. What would have happened if Riddle had the same problems in the UFC? Don’t forget he was fired in 2013 for smoking marijuana. Dana White wouldn’t have the patience to deal with such mishaps.
That’s especially true since Riddle hasn’t been in a UFC octagon in over a decade. His last match was on February 13, 2013, where he fought to a no-contest against Che Mills. Having over a decade of being absent from the ring isn’t the most ideal situation.
Riddle is also 38 years old, where he would be at the tail end of his MMA career. It wouldn’t be worth taking a risk on an older fighter, especially when White could use a spot to take in a younger prospect. It would be wise for the Las Vegas native to continue his pro wrestling career, where he’d have a little more mileage. That way, he could continue entertaining audiences and make his name grow.
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Jacob Walters is a boxing/MMA writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @IceColdWJacob
