Daniel Bryan is still awaiting medical clearance from World Wrestling Entertainment.
In the meantime, the former World Heavyweight champion has been keeping busy by incorporating mixed martial arts (MMA) into his regimen, even training at ex-UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson's facility.
The WWE Universe has seen another former champ, CM Punk, make the transition from pro wrestling to the UFC. Could Bryan be next?
Henderson seems to think so. Speaking with the Sporting News over the weekend, Henderson said he is impressed with what he has seen from Bryan at his MMA Lab in Glendale, AZ.
"He was out with some injuries in WWE," Henderson said of Bryan, referring to the Superstar's neck injuries and concussions. "He came to our gym and moved up to blue belt in jiu-jitsu under my coach John Crouch. Every time I go in there, he's working his butt off.
"I heard he was pretty strong and actually surprised me with how technical he is," he continued. "A lot of guys have a hard time learning all those techniques. I heard he was really great at being able to use his technique and not relying on his strength. He's smooth and does jiu-jitsu really well."
This past October, Bryan told IGN that one independent neurologist cleared him without any limitations last year, but the WWE's medical doctor remains skeptical because of his history of concussions and will not medically clear him.
Months removed from his neck surgery and while still awaiting word on his WWE clearance, sharpening his MMA skills does provide Bryan with another possible option — via the UFC — just in case the WWE's medical doctor gives him a permanent red light.
Let's see how this situation unfolds.
