Cain Velasquez is headed to pro wrestling.
Cain Velasquez is the latest fighter to head to professional wrestling, as it was announced on Tuesday afternoon that the former two-time heavyweight champion will feature at the upcoming TripleMania event in Mexico City.
TripleMania is the blockbuster annual event of AAA promotion, a professional Mexican wrestling organisation that was founded in 1992.
Velasquez will make his debut on Aug. 3 at Arena Ciudad in Mexico City, although it’s not been announced who the 36-year-old will fight or what kind of match-up it will be. Velasquez is an avid pro-wrestling fan and claims his favorite Mexican wrestlers are El Santo and his son, El Hijo Del Santo.
Making his pro-wrestling debut at TripleMania is a lifelong dream for the MMA veteran.
“I will be an in-ring performer for sure. With more time learning this beautiful sport, great things will happen,” Velasquez said, per his management team (h/t Dave Meltzer of MMA Fighting).
Velasquez last fought in the Octagon at UFC on ESPN 1, where he was knocked out by heavy-hitting knockout artist Francis Ngannou in the first round of the main event. Velasquez looked to have awkwardly twisted his knee during the knockout sequence, and it’s not sure when the American Kickboxing Academy standout will return to the UFC.