Jake Hager says he’s ready for his first Bellator fight, using WWE exposure to his advantage

By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)

Jake Hager (f/k/a Jack Swagger) is spoke with Paul Guzzo of the Tampa Bay Times about making the transition from pro wrestling to mixed martial arts. Hager said he rediscovered wrestling skills quickly. “But this isn’t only amateur wrestling,” Hager said. “It’s mixed martial arts. There are many disciplines I need to be good at. But I’m ready.”

Hager also indicated that he is using his WWE exposure to his advantage. “One of the best pieces of advice I ever got in professional wrestling was use the exposure from cable’s number one rated television show to transition and move on to what you want to go into next,” he said. Read the full story at TampaBay.com.

Powell’s POV: Hager will face JW Kisner on the Bellator event on January 26 and his fight is scheduled to be broadcast on the Paramount Network. Kisner is a 41 year-old fighter who complied a 1-3 record as an amateur. Hager, 36, was an All-American wrestler for Oklahoma University prior to his WWE run.

Check below for the new Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast with Jason Powell and guest Nick Perkins discussing the McMahon family’s vow to make changes to WWE television shows.