Ever since the news broke this past weekend that Brock Lesnar would be returning to the UFC to face off against Mark Hunt at UFC 200, fans have been wondering what WWE might get out of this, other than some valuable cross-promotion. Would WWE receive some sort of quid pro quo talent exchange?
WWE has made it clear that Brock’s return to MMA is a one-time-only situation, but they have also openly been coveting Ronda Rousey’s involvement in more professional wrestling shenanigans for some time now. Ever since her appearance at WrestleMania 31, they’ve been trying to get Rousey on board for perhaps an extended angle with Stephanie McMahon. Plus, there’s that whole thing about Rousey and her MMA “Four Horsewomen” being massive pro-wrestling fans.
But according to FOX Sports, WWE currently has another one of UFC’s fighters in mind for their end of the cross-promotional love fest.
VanZant’s manager, Mike Roberts of MMA Inc., confirmed to FOX Sports on Monday that WWE has reached out to inquire about the “Dancing with the Stars” runner-up appearing “in some capacity” at the annual event.
There’s no word what kind of role VanZant might have at SummerSlam, but the WWE has spoken to her management team about her possible appearance at the event.
VanZant, a strawweight competitor originally from Oregon and fighting out of Sacramento, has been with UFC since 2014. She holds a professional record of 6-2 and lost her most recent fight in December of 2015 against Rose Namajunas. VanZant is currently ranked No. 8 in the strawweight division, but she remains one of the more popular women’s fighters. Her run on Dancing With the Stars this year certainly helped with both her popularity and exposure.
SummerSlam takes place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Aug. 21 – one day after CM Punk makes his debut at UFC 202. Reports indicate that UFC will be heavily promoting SummerSlam on that show as part of the Lesnar agreement.
(Via FOX Sports)
