Cain Velasquez becomes latest UFC champion to switch to WWE
Cain Velasquez has become the latest UFC star to make the switch over to WWE, joining in the footsteps of Ronda Rousey and Brock Lesnar.
Velasquez announced the news that he signed a multiyear deal at a Friday press conference in Las Vegas. Velasquez has already been removed from UFC’s official rankings.
Velasquez is a two-time heavyweight champion in UFC but had dabbled in wrestling lately. He made his WWE debut against Lesnar last Friday and also competed in Lucha Libra AAA in August and September. Now Velasquez will face off against Lesnar again on Oct. 31 at WWE Crown Jewel for his first event as a full-time performer.
There were signs earlier than Velasquez might abandon UFC. Last week, a report from MMA Junkie stated that he planned to withdraw from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency testing pool, which would leave him ineligible to perform in UFC.
The 37-year-old has had his eye on wrestling for the better part of the past decade. When he won his first UFC championship against Lesnar in 2010, he told ESPN that he had already been in talks with WWE.
Because of his interest in wrestling, UFC had given him a waiver to still remain under contract. However, this marks his official end with the sport as he focuses solely on wrestling.
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