In today’s wrestling world, many pro wrestlers are mixing MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) moves into their fighting styles, making the action in the ring look more real and intense. With the rise in MMA’s popularity and the recent merger of UFC and WWE under one company, TKO, fans are now seeing more crossovers between these two worlds.
Sonya Deville: One of the First Women to Bring MMA to WWE
Before stars like Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler arrived in WWE, Sonya Deville was one of the first women to introduce an MMA-inspired style in the ring. Coming from a combat sports background, Deville added a unique edge to her performances.
However, over time, as more MMA fighters like Ronda Rousey, Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke, and Marina Shafir (known as the Four Horsewomen of MMA) joined WWE, Deville’s MMA character was pushed aside. In a chat with “Busted Open Radio”, Sonya Deville opened up about how this shift happened.
Why Deville Stepped Away from Her MMA Persona
Talking about her early days, Deville said:
“When I first started, I was the first kind of female with the MMA background, and so it was cool when that was my character. But as my character started to evolve, we kind of dropped the MMA stuff. At the same time, WWE started signing Ronda, Shayna, Jessamyn, and Marina — the Four Horsewomen of MMA. So, I was fine stepping back from that part of my personality and my character because I felt I had other things to offer. I wanted them to lead the MMA movement.”
This shows that while Sonya was proud of her MMA roots, she was open to exploring other parts of her character to grow as a performer.
Deville Wants to Reignite Her Aggressive Side
Although she moved away from MMA for a while, Sonya Deville is now eager to return to a more aggressive and hard-hitting style. With wrestlers like Zoey Stark and Shayna Baszler by her side, she sees a chance to bring back that brutal edge.
Speaking about her recent group, PFC (Proud, Fearless, and Courageous), Deville shared:
“I felt like it was kind of a missed opportunity not to capitalize on that more. Especially with our group forming, I felt like there could’ve been a clearer direction of where we were going. We were three women who were fed up with the system, anti-authority, ready to kick a* and take names.”*
What’s Next for Sonya Deville in WWE?
With WWE and UFC now under one roof, and fans loving the mix of pro wrestling and MMA, it could be the perfect time for Sonya Deville to bring back her MMA roots. Teaming up with Zoey Stark and Shayna Baszler could create a powerful faction that showcases real fighting skills in the WWE universe.
Wrestling fans are excited to see if Sonya will get a chance to fully embrace her fighting background once again and remind everyone that she was one of the first women to bring MMA to WWE.
Sonya Deville’s story is a reminder of how wrestling characters evolve over time, but also how important it is to stay true to what makes a performer unique. As WWE and UFC continue to work closer together, bringing back Sonya’s MMA side could be a great way to give fans something fresh and exciting. Whether she goes solo or stays with her group, fans are eager to see what Sonya Deville does next in WWE.
FAQ’s
Was Sonya Deville an MMA fighter before WWE?
Yes, Sonya Deville had an MMA background before joining WWE. She was one of the first women to bring MMA-inspired fighting techniques to the WWE ring.
Why did Sonya Deville stop using her MMA fighting style in WWE?
Sonya Deville stepped away from her MMA persona when WWE signed other MMA stars like Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler. She wanted to explore new aspects of her character while letting others lead the MMA focus.
Will Sonya Deville return to her MMA roots in WWE?
Yes, Sonya Deville has expressed interest in returning to a more aggressive, MMA-inspired style, especially now that she is teaming up with Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark.
What is PFC in WWE?
PFC stands for Proud, Fearless, and Courageous — a faction formed by Sonya Deville, Zoey Stark, and Shayna Baszler. They are a group of anti-authority women aiming to dominate WWE.
How does the UFC and WWE merger under TKO affect Sonya Deville?
With UFC and WWE now under TKO, wrestlers like Sonya Deville with MMA backgrounds may get more chances to showcase real fighting techniques, leading to exciting crossovers.
