Jake Hager, aka Jack Swagger from the professional wrestling world, plans to make his Bellator MMA debut before the end of the year.

At the end of 2017, former WWE Superstar and current independent wrestling star Jake Hager, aka Jack Swagger, announced that he would be making the transition to mixed martial arts and signed an exclusive deal with Bellator MMA. As far as when he will be making his debut, it looks like it will be happening before we flip the calendars to 2019.

Hager, who is the current Northeast Wrestling heavyweight champion and is appearing in Pittsfield, MA on Friday night, has been keeping very busy as of late. Along with his busy schedule of dates in the pro wrestling world, Hager has been training twice a day to prepare for his Bellator debut in the heavyweight division.

“It’s been really fun and it’s been an incredible journey,” Hager said while appearing on the Extra Rounds Podcast. “I’ve been very lucky, very blessed to have a great team and coaches around me. There are times where it’s like, ‘Oh man, this is tough. This is going to be really hard’ and then there’s times where the light bulbs come on and I get confident. It’s going really well.”

Hager still has indy appearances to make before he can fully turn his attention to his MMA debut. With Bellator making strong moves as of late, now is as good a time as ever to showcase the former WWE world champion. Hager feels like that date is vast approaching and that fans shouldn’t be surprised to see him compete before the end of the year.

“I think it’s going to be the end of 2018,” Hager explained. “It’s coming very close. I’m looking at it like I’m at the beginning of the season right now. At the end of the season will be the fight. I think it’s going to be around December, January, maybe even November. It’s all depending on when we can get our schedules to work and when the team tells me I’m ready. I just come in and train every day. But definitely 2018.”

As most athletes experience when they transition to the sport of mixed martial arts, there are learning experiences to be had. Hager is no different. The All-American amateur wrestler certainly has a great base in which to get started. In an evolving sport like mixed martial arts, just having a wrestling base will only get you so far — something Hager has been learning throughout his new journey.

“I think it’s going to be around December, January, maybe even November. It’s all depending on when we can get our schedules to work and when the team tells me I’m ready. I just come in and train every day. But definitely 2018.”

“I have to say I’m in the best shape of my life,” Hager said. “We’re really training hard right now and I’m really learning. There are multiple disciplines to learn. I can’t just rely on my All-American amateur wrestling background. I have to learn boxing, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, muay thai; so many different things to be on alert for and be ready for. It’s been overwhelming at times but one thing I really miss is the competition. I’m just the type of person where I have to compete. I’m not competing for something, I feel like I’m drowning almost. That is what is great for me mentally.”

For someone like Hager who has pro wrestling dates to fill, it would seem like beginning the transition to a dangerous combative sport like mixed martial arts would be counterintuitive. Hager has not had that effect. In fact, it has been the total opposite.

“Physically, the training has forced me to take care of my body,” Hager said. “All of those bumps and bruises from the traveling, from the 12 years of amazing shows with WWE, it really takes a toll on your body. The hard training has really forced me to take care of my body – I’m home more of course – but I feel so much better. My shoulders don’t hurt when I get out of bed, my ankles don’t crack as much when I walk.

“It’s been a really positive experience and I’m really excited to see where this journey is going to take us because, while it’s a great time to be a professional wrestler, it’s a great time to be a professional fighter. Both sports, I would say, are at the height of their popularity. The sky’s the limit and I’m thankful for the opportunity.”

With the Bellator heavyweight Grand Prix about to kick off its semifinal round in October, the division has had the brightest spotlight it has had in the history of the organization. Fedor Emilianenko will take on Chael Sonnen Oct. 13 while Matt Mitrione and Ryan Bader will battle the night before to solidify the finals to crown a world heavyweight champion. Hager has been watching the tournament closely for a little extra motivation and vision.

“I imagine myself in there with those guys,” Hager said. “I see how they move. I study these guys because they are where I want to be. I’m watching what they do and, of course, wondering how I’m gonna hold my own in there. You have to be confident or don’t even do it. Don’t even try to do it. Believe in yourself, take a bet on yourself, invest in yourself and just do it.”