How UFC & WWE Are The Same (& How They're Different)

When it comes to the combat sports world, WWE and UFC truly do dominate even though they are vastly different. While MMA and professional wrestling have some connections, when it comes to the sport themselves they are different, but that doesn't mean that there isn't any crossover between them.

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There are a lot of ways that both WWE and UFC are similar, from how they operate as a business to how they present themselves on television. However, at the same time, there are plenty of differences between them as well, which is crucial to keep them both successful.

10 Similar: The Importance Of A Promo

The most exciting element of both WWE and UFC is the in-ring action, with fans getting excited to see competitors wrestle or fight on every show. However, what both companies do the same is push the importance of promos.

This is more obvious in WWE where the wrestlers will spend plenty of time in the ring talking to hype up their upcoming matches. However, that is the same situation in UFC where the fighters get plenty of time with press conferences to promote themselves and the PPVs.

9 Different: The Nature Of The Sports

The obvious main difference between WWE and UFC is the nature of the sport itself. It is well-known that the results of professional wrestling are predetermined, with Vince McMahon making the decisions on who wins and loses, often down to how popular wrestlers are.

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However, that isn't the case with UFC as even though Dana White might want a specific fighter to win in the back of his mind, anything can happen inside the octagon. The results are purely down to who is the most talented on the day.

8 Similar: Owners At The Forefront

For many sports companies, the person at the top often stays in the background and doesn't get involved in anything. However, that is not the case with both WWE and UFC. Vince McMahon and Dana White are two very well-known public figures, which is because they're at the forefront of everything their respective companies do.

Vince has happily been inside the ring, wrestling, and cutting promos on television to entertain the fans. Meanwhile, Dana is always at the weigh-ins and press conferences, putting himself at the front of things as well, with both men happily being as involved as possible.

7 Different: The Entrances

The entrances of the athletes are very different within the world of WWE and UFC. While both like to provide huge music tracks for their performers, how they enter is always something different.

WWE Superstars will often have very over-the-top entrances, with pyro or other special effects adding an entertainment element. However, that isn't the case with UFC, as the entrances for the fighters are much more low-key, as they will just walk to the ring with music and that is it.

6 Similar: Push Female Athletes

Something that both WWE and UFC do as much as possible is push female athletes. They have had women headline PPV events and created some very successful stars from Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm to Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks.

It's not something that every sport does a good job of, and while neither WWE nor UFC is perfect, the two companies certainly make an effort to promote female athletes in the combat sports world, which is great to see.

5 Different: Characters

While everybody who performs for either WWE or UFC is an athlete due to the nature of the business they are performing in, there are big differences in terms of how they're presented. When it comes to UFC, they are pure athletes who sometimes showcase their personalities.

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However, in WWE, there can be a true variety of characters from The Undertaker to The Boogeyman. This is where the entertainment element of the company comes in, as this isn't something that would ever happen in UFC.

4 Similar: Trash Talking Is Key

In WWE, there is a lot of trash-talking between the wrestlers as this is what brings the excitement factor and gives audiences a reason to invest in wanting to see them wrestle. Some fans might not expect that from UFC as well, but there is just as much trash talking in the world of MMA as well.

Even though in MMA someone who doesn't do any trash-talking can be a main event star, the fact is that people who talk a lot often become bigger stars. This has been the case with Conor McGregor, who happily talks trash to his opponents in the build-up of a fight.

3 Different: Television Time

When it comes to how often each company hosts events, there is a big difference between them. While UFC is on television a lot more nowadays due to UFC Fight Night, the company is nowhere near as busy as WWE.

Vince McMahon produces three main television shows per week throughout the entire year as an absolute minimum. That isn't adding in any TakeOver or PPV events, which showcases the fact that WWE is simply busier.

2 Similar: Dealing With Competition

Even though WWE and UFC are considered to be the biggest companies in their respective sport, that doesn't mean they are the only game in town. Both have to deal with serious competition from other companies in those individual sports.

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For WWE, there are tons of small independent promotions as well as bigger competition such as Impact Wrestling and AEW. Meanwhile, Dana White also has to deal with competition from the likes of Bellator.

1 Different: Use Of Celebrities

Because WWE and UFC are such massively popular companies, it is no surprise that each has celebrity fans. Whether it's actors or musicians, many big names love wrestling and fighting. However, how Vince McMahon and Dana White use them is very different.

WWE will happily bring a celebrity into the ring, allowing them to wrestle and compete. Whereas in the world of UFC, they are very much kept outside of the octagon, simply watching the product as a fan.