WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes has included Conor McGregor on his UFC Mount Rushmore.
The 39-year-old also featured Ronda Rousey and, surprisingly, MMA veteran Chuck Liddell on his list of the greatest UFC fighters of all time, as well as Jon Jones.
Rhodes is one of WWE’s top starsGetty
Rhodes admitted that he has not watched many fights in Dana White’s promotion, but his Liddell pick is that of an MMA enthusiast.
‘The Iceman’ Liddell was one of Dana White‘s earliest fighters, having made his debut at UFC 17 in May 1998.
Over a 12-year career, he won 18 of his 26 UFC bouts, becoming a key figure in elevating the organisation and attracting a new generation of fans to the sport.
The criteria for the WWE Champion’s Mount Rushmore was those who have brought the most eyeballs to the UFC, so it’s no surprise to see ‘The Notorious’ and Rousey on this list.
Rousey, of course, has had her own success in the WWE, so there may have been a little bias towards the former UFC bantamweight champion’s selection.
“We’re going to go with Conor [McGregor], we’re going to go with Ronda [Rousey],” Rhodes told MMA journalist The Schmo.
“We’ve got those two, then I have to kick back to the infancy of modern UFC with everything that Dana did, I can’t pick Chuck [Liddell] or Tito [Ortiz], I can only pick one, right?
“I’m going to pick Chuck…And I was loyal, I said Tom [Aspinall] would take the fight but I’m going to go with Jon Jones actually as well.
“That’s my Mount Rushmore.”
‘The American Nightmare’ has been one of WWE’s top stars since returning to the organisation in 2022.
Rhodes first debuted with WWE in 2006, before requesting a release 10 years laterWWE
Rhodes had been involved with the company for 10 years from 2006, before requesting his release via social media in May 2016.
He cited frustrations with WWE’s creative department and his position within the company as reasons behind his release request.
After stints at TNA, New Japan Pro-Wrestling and AEW, Rhodes returned to WWE and defeated Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 38 in April 2022 to claim the WWE Championship.
Rhodes was seen sipping on McGregor’s Proper 12 whisky at the end of his interview with The Schmo.
He, as well as other WWE superstars such as John Cena, have claimed ‘The Notorious’ would be a great addition to Triple H’s roster.
McGregor teased fans via social media on Tuesday regarding a potential move into the billion-pound professional wrestling organisation.
Tyson Fury made his WWE debut against Braun Strowman in 2019Getty Images – Getty
Cain Velasquez lost to Brock Lesnar on the same nightWWE
“The Schmo and the undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes enjoying themselves some smooth Proper Whiskey! Class personified! Love it Cody see you soon,” he said on X.
WWE’s Crown Jewel event, which has previously witnessed a host of celebrity appearances, takes place on November 2 in Saudi Arabia.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was defeated by long-term rival Brock Lesnar at Crown Jewel in October 2019 – the same night Tyson Fury made his debut in professional wrestling.
Netflix announced a $5 billion deal with WWE in January to exclusively show Raw – their most popular weekly show – on the streaming platform from the beginning of 2025.
This means that WWE’s global audience has the potential to increase significantly with easier access to the Monday night show.
McGregor hasn’t appeared in the UFC since he suffered an ankle injury against Dustin Poirier in the pair’s trilogy bout at UFC 264 in July 2021.
He has also recently endeavored into the world of bare knuckle fighting – as a minority owner in BKFC – so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the former UFC two-division champion appear in the squared circle soon.
