WWE legend Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, whose career in professional wrestling spans nearly thirty years, recently sparked discussion about possibly entering the UFC arena. During the 2025 Elimination Chamber event, the Hollywood star known as The Brahma Bull reflected on the idea of becoming an MMA fighter, specifically imagining how a fight against UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall might unfold.

Despite his busy acting schedule, The Rock continues to make occasional appearances in WWE, with his most recent being at the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event held in Stamford. The Rock was also invited by the UFC to induct MMA champion Mark Kerr into the UFC Hall of Fame, where he shared his thoughts on the crossover between wrestling and mixed martial arts.

The Rock’s Thoughts at the UFC Hall of Fame Induction

Speaking at the UFC event, Johnson expressed his admiration for the sport of MMA. During his induction speech, he joked about the scenario of walking out to his iconic theme song as a UFC fighter, while humorously imagining a quick defeat against Tom Aspinall.

“Love the sport of MMA, as you guys know, and, umm, the respect I have and coming out here, I hear my theme song, [and] I’m like, ‘Sh*t, imagine if I was an MMA fighter, like [a] UFC Heavyweight coming out to my music, my theme song, right?’ That’s cool. Man. Well, I don’t know about that. Give it a shot, [the] headline will read, ‘Tom Aspinall knocks out The Rock in 8 seconds.’ [Laughs],” he said.

This playful yet candid remark highlighted The Rock’s respect for MMA talent, as well as the very serious challenges anyone would face entering the UFC octagon against top fighters like Aspinall.

Cody Rhodes and The Rock’s Influence on WWE Storylines

Meanwhile, within WWE, The Rock’s persona continues to affect ongoing narratives. Prior to the Elimination Chamber 2025, The Rock requested a symbolic “soul” from fellow wrestler Cody Rhodes. When Rhodes declined, John Cena aligned himself with The Rock instead.

In a recent conversation with Kay Adams, Rhodes discussed the possibility of turning heel by following The Rock’s example. He even mentioned reconsidering his look, which he changed when adopting a new character persona.

“My hair is naturally dark. I don’t know if I could go back. But if The Rock had it his way, I would have been changed already. So I think he sees something that maybe I don’t see, and that’s a very smart individual. So maybe I follow his lead. Maybe not,” said Rhodes.

This admission shows Rhodes contemplating the profound impact The Rock continues to have on younger wrestlers’ careers and personal branding decisions in WWE.

What Lies Ahead for The Rock and MMA Prospects

While The Rock’s comments on UFC knockout scenarios involving Tom Aspinall were delivered in a lighthearted tone, they hint at a growing fascination with mixed martial arts in the wrestling world. His ongoing presence in WWE and the occasional crossover with MMA personalities could signal future collaborations or appearances. Whether The Rock will fully dive into an MMA career remains uncertain. However, his acknowledgment of the sport, combined with Aspinall’s rising profile in UFC, makes the idea a topic of interest among fans and analysts alike.

As The Rock continues to influence both professional wrestling storylines and the wider combat sports landscape, observers will be keen to see if his playful UFC knockout prediction will ever be put to the test inside the octagon.