WWE made big news earlier this week when it announced it’s July class arriving at the WWE Performance Center this week, but one name was just revealed today. Last night, fans in attendance noted that former 2x UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez was at the tapings in the audience as a fan, and that it appeared the WWE was filming his attendance.
Scoop #47: Cameras are videotaping Cain Velasquez during Gargano’s entrance pic.twitter.com/H0KMTMYK2v
— Jacob Cohen (@MrJacobCohen) July 19, 2018
WWE revealed today that the UFC legend wasn’t just there to watch NXT as a fan – but that he’s been training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando in the skills of professional wrestling:
“Two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez stepped inside the ring to learn techniques under WWE PC coach Norman Smiley and participated in a session of DDP Yoga led by WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page. Velasquez also worked out in the WWE PC’s weight room and attended last night’s NXT tapings at Full Sail Live.
The 6-foot-1 Velasquez, who sports a 14-2 record inside the Octagon, famously defeated Universal Champion Brock Lesnar as well as Junior Dos Santos to secure his two reigns with the UFC Heavyweight crown.
A product of the acclaimed American Kickboxing Academy, Velasquez holds an astonishing number of records among the UFC Heavyweight ranks, including the most knockouts and the highest significant strike percentage in the history of the heavyweight division.
The UFC icon, a lifelong fan of WWE and Mexican lucha libre, praised the athletes and atmosphere of the Performance Center.
“My experience here has been amazing,” he said. “I’m just looking forward to being here and learning as much as I can. I’ve been a fan of the sport since I was a little kid, and now I get to participate in it.”
Cain Velasquez has been fighting in MMA since 2006, debuting with Strikeforce with a victory over Jesse Fujarczyk. He had a second fight with Bodog a couple months later – another victory – before joining UFC in 2008, debuting at UFC 83 with a victory over Brad Morris. He went onto a 12-2 record in the UFC, winning his first UFC Heavyweight title over WWE’s Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 in 2010, and his second against Junior dos Santos in 2012. Velasquez also holds several records in the UFC, including most knockouts in the heavyweight division (10), highest significant strike percentage in the heavyweight division (57.62%), most takedowns in UFC heavyweight history (34), most total strikes landed in heavyweight history (1464), as well as the longest reigning heavyweight champion (896 days) and combined reign for a heavyweight champion (1281 days).
There has been no official word if Velasquez intends to sign with the WWE or if he’ll look to an indie career to start off, like fellow MMA fighters Matt Riddle, Tom Lawlor or Shayna Baszler.
It was an honor to have former @ufc Heavyweight Champion @cainmma in the ring with the @WWENXT Superstars this week at the @WWEPerformCtr! https://t.co/AWu6LLvrSi
— WWE Recruit (@WWERecruit) July 19, 2018
