Ryan Bader has a pretty good idea of which MMA fighter would make a successful jump to WWE.
Bader spoke with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard to promote his role in The Smashing Machine. Bader is a mixed martial arts star who has competed for UFC and Bellator, and makes his acting debut as UFC legend Mark Coleman in the film.
His co-star, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, made the successful transition from WWE to Hollywood. Bader was asked to name a current MMA star or fighter that he could see making the jump from the cage to the squared circle.
Ryan Bader called one of his Smashing Machine co-stars a potential WWE Superstar
Bader pointed out Oleksandr Usyk, the Ukrainian professional boxer who plays Igor Vovchanchyn in the movie. Usyk is boxing’s undisputed heavyweight champion, the first fighter to hold the honor since Lennox Lewis 25 years ago. Bader said Usyk was a great presence on the set, and could provide the right amount of entertainment value as a WWE Superstar.
“You know who’s really funny? Usyk. On set, he was super funny, very light in the green room, but also a world champion boxer. He nailed Igor’s little kicks and mannerisms,” Bader said. “He was entertaining, and I think he could actually be good in WWE.”
Bader agreed that Usyk is also great at exhibiting a cold demeanor like a Cold War-era movie villain, putting over how dangerous he could be in the ring.
“That’s that Russian style—like Fedor [Emilianko]. Calm, no emotions, just another day at the office. But they’re killers in the ring. I fought a few Russians, and they’re all like that.”
The Smashing Machine is now in theatres.
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