Cain Velasquez issues statement.
On Friday, Oct. 11, WWE announced Cain Velasquez would make his in-ring debut for the promotion against Brock Lesnat at WWE Crown Jewel on Oct. 31. Shortly before the announcement, ESPN reported that Velasquez had signed a multi-year deal with WWE, effectively retiring from MMA.
On Monday, Velasquez took to social media and posted the following statement.
To the UFC, my family, friends, and all the fans, thank you for the past 11 years. Thank you to all my coaches, teammates and agents. I am so blessed to have been able to have a career doing something I absolutely love. I knew from the time I was a junior in college I wanted to be a fighter and after graduating from college, I set off on my journey of becoming a fighter with the goal of being UFC Heavyweight champion. There are few people in this world that can say that they have achieved what I have, and I am forever grateful for the opportunities and position I held being a part of the UFC. With my official retirement from the UFC, it's time for the next chapter.
A year ago, when I went to my first WWE show, I fell back in love with a sport that I had watched and participated in since I was a child. From that moment, I have been doing a crash course on all things that relate to pro wrestling. I've been training at different gyms, going to shows and watching more matches then I would like to admit, but I can honestly say I eat, sleep and breath wrestling now. The contract is signed and I'm on my way to my next goal which is Universal Champion.
WWE Universe, thank you for welcoming me with open arms.
@ufc @WWE Thank you. Muchas gracias. #WWECrownJewel pic.twitter.com/k8axrZMRnW
— Cain Velasquez (@cainmma) October 14, 2019
Velasquez isn't the only crossover star appearing at Crown Jewel as it was also announced that Tyson Fury will battle Braun Strowman as well.
