Vaquer and Belair open to UFC crossover, emphasize training

Stephanie Vaquer and Bianca Belair, two high-profile WWE performers, said in a recent interview that they would be open to competing in the UFC, though both emphasized the differences between the sports and the preparation such a move would require. The comments, made in an interview with Sports Illustrated and transcribed by Fightful, come amid heightened crossover speculation since WWE and the UFC became sister companies under TKO Group Holdings.

Vaquer, who said she trains at a UFC performance center in Mexico with a close friend, described herself as a "big, big fan" of the promotion and expressed hope that she might "do something together" with the UFC someday. "I know it's so different discipline with pro wrestling, but with fighter," she said, noting that her friend Jaula Bahamondes, who she described as "famous in Chile," understands the discipline required in combat sports. Vaquer is slated to challenge IYO SKY for the vacant WWE Women's World Championship at Wrestlepalooza on September 20, and has rapidly risen through WWE ranks since signing in June 2024, holding both the NXT Women's and NXT Women's North American titles.

Belair, a member of the WWE SmackDown roster...