‘Jack Swagger’ Admits ‘People Aren’t Gonna Like What I’m Getting Paid’ for Bellator Debut

“Done sayin, I’m done playing...” @bellatormma
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•#bellator214 #jan26 #mma #wrestling #boxing #kickboxing #fighter #wethepeople #thecatalinatechnique #prowrestling #oklahoma #bornforthis pic.twitter.com/uTXkn7aMfz

— You Dont Know Jack (@RealJackSwagger) January 15, 2019

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There is a certain appeal that a professional wrestling star has when crossing over to mixed martial arts. Just look at the success that Brock Lesnar has had in the UFC — where he remains a popular on-again, off-again draw.

Jake Hager, known as “Jack Swagger” in the professional wrestling industry, has the pedigree to be successful in MMA. Before he got into sports entertainment, Hager was an All-American wrestler at Oklahoma University. He’s a big, athletic, charismatic heavyweight, which is why he has been given a main card slot at Bellator 214, a marquee card that features a championship clash between Fedor Emelianenko and Ryan Bader in the main event.

Hager realizes that making his debut in such a prominent position will draw a fair share of scrutiny, but he welcomes the attention.

“I understand that a lot of people are not gonna like that I get to be on this card. Even more people are not gonna like what I’m getting paid to be on this card,” Hager said during a media call to promote Bellator 214. “That’s not my problem. I belong here. Enough said.”

Hager initially signed with Bellator in 2017, but his debut was delayed because “Jack Swagger” chose to compete on the independent wrestling circuit following an 11-year tenure with the WWE.

“It’s been a work in progress. When I left WWE in April 2017, I knew I had a lot of meat on the table to capitalize on as far as the independent wrestling world. At that point it was the main focus,” Hager said. “As we got closer to being ready to step into the cage, the focus shifts more to the MMA aspect. I think it’s been a really cool journey. I think I would’ve been ready sooner if I wasn’t wrestling on the weekends, but unfortunately I have to make my income the way I can and that was a big part of it was to capitalize on my TV exposure and continue on professional wrestling. 

“I think it will help me with my MMA career, and so it’s almost like practice a little bit too.”

Perhaps even more beneficial will be Hager’s amateur background, but he believes he can surprise some folks with his skillset when he squares off against J.W. Kiser on Jan. 26.

“When you look at wrestlers entering the cage, they have great takedowns and they use the cage. Their conditioning is usually above par,” Hager said. “I think what will surprise a lot of people is how hard I hit and how fast I am for a heavyweight.”

At 36 years old, Hager is entering the sport a little late, but clearly Bellator sees potential in the former WWE star. Not every professional wrestling crossover can replicate the success of Lesnar, but Hager has big dreams as he begins his new endeavor.

“Absolutely I’d love to be in the finals of the heavyweight grand prix,” he said. “Anybody who enters into MMA is serious about it. I left a giant company making hundreds of thousands of dollars for a chance to cross over into another industry. Big investment on myself and a huge risk as far as career goes. This is very serious for me — this is life. Nobody loves cash more than I do and I want more of it. I don’t need it all, I just need a lot.”