Gzim Selmani is best known as Rezar in WWE, but he had a background in MMA and kickboxing before he signed with the wrestling promotion.
In 2014, he submitted Oli Thompson in 2014, which caught the eye of major promotions.
“At the time, we had multiple offers from Bellator, and we had some talks with the UFC as well, but the matchmaker thought I was still too young, as I was only 18,” Selmani told George Glinski of TalkSPORT.
“I think nowadays it would have been fine, but back then they wanted me to gain some more experience. The Oli Thompson fight definitely put me on the map. I was also scouted by the WWE after that fight. They were very keen on me going over to the United States to train in a performance center. William Regal really wanted me there, and they convinced me.”
Selmani had two stints with the WWE.
He is now signed to BKFC, where he won his first fight in March.
