The Rock Reveals the Real Reason He Never Tried UFC

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People have been wondering for a long time why Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson didn’t switch from professional wrestling (WWE) to mixed martial arts (MMA or UFC). He recently explained his reasons.

The discussion arose on the New Heights podcast, led by NFL brothers Travis and Jason Kelce. The former WWE wrestler shared his thoughts on professional fighting and explained why he decided not to pursue it.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson emphasized that mixed martial arts is significantly more demanding than professional wrestling. He described it as a completely different level of competition, calling it both a ‘beast’ and a ‘monster’ to illustrate its intensity.

Travis Kelce wondered if Johnson had ever considered a football career despite everything. Johnson confessed he’d thought about it briefly, recalling that when he was starting out with WWE in the late 1990s, he wasn’t making a lot of money.

He recalled that UFC fighters were earning good money at the time, which led him and his friends to wonder if they could have pursued it themselves. He described how MMA training can inflate your self-belief, making you feel capable of competing.

Once Johnson really considered it, the harsh realities of fighting became clear. He explained that while wrestling and MMA might seem alike, the potential for injury is quite different. He eventually understood the damage could be severe, famously stating, “Those guys would knock my jaw into another area code.” He then added with humor, “I just don’t like getting punched in the face.”

The comments came from an episode of the New Heights podcast and quickly became popular online. Johnson continues to have a strong relationship with WWE and is now a prominent figure in both entertainment and business. Although fans often wonder what might have happened if he’d joined the UFC, he seems very happy with the career he’s built.

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2026-01-01 17:44