Shayna Baszler Compares NXT To MMA

Shayna Baszler sees parallels between professional wrestling and mixed-martial-arts.

After over 12 years of fighting in MMA promotions across the world, Shayna Baszler started her second passion of professional wrestling. The experienced catch-as-catch-can wrestler spoke with WWE.com about the differences and similarities between her two professions. She said the pace of matches changes things in professional wrestling.

“It isn’t that much different. Some things have changed. The round times and limits aren’t there to worry about, so pacing benefits me in that I can take the time to enjoy the damage I cause. But the goal is still the same,” said Baszler. “In MMA, there isn’t time to admire your work until it’s all over with. In sports-entertainment, I can admire what I’m doing while it’s happening. So pre-match, I guess you could say my mindset is more like a lion about to play with its food, rather than a lion trying to hunt out of necessity. But ultimately, I’m out to hunt my target,” she continued.

At NXT Takeover: New Orleans, Baszler challenges NXT Women’s Champion Ember Moon for the second time. In the interview, she spoke about the damage she dealt to Moon in their first match.

Fightful Wrestling will have live coverage of NXT Takeover and a recapping podcast.

The full interview can be read at WWE.com.