Former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar, Alberto Del Rio, is no stranger to mixed martial arts (MMA), having racked up over a dozen fights on the international circuit, which includes wins in both PRIDE and DEEP.
And despite his absence from combat sports, Del Rio — real name Jose Rodriguez — believes he’s still got the chops to compete inside the Combate Americas cage, affectionately known as “La Jaula,” where he currently plies his trade in both on and off-camera roles.
“That’s the plan, have a big pay-per-view because I’m going to be facing a former super champion, well known in Mexico and United States,” Del Rio told The MMA Hour (via MMA Fighting). “We don’t have the name yet because he hasn’t said, ‘yes,’ but we’re working on it, if we get him it’s going to be a super fight.”
Combate Americas continues to expand across the Latin American market, generating impressive ratings both stateside and abroad on its new home of Univision and Univision Deportes. That includes this month’s return to the airwaves with its latest “Mexico vs. USA” showdown in Tucson, also streaming live on DAZN.
“We don’t know where we’re going to do it, but if we do it in Mexico City … hometown advantage, altitude advantage,” Del Rio said. “We could do it in Arena Ciudad de Mexico in front of 28,000 people. Two years ago, I drew 28,000 people for a pro wrestling show, defending a pro wrestling world title.”
Del Rio is currently 9-5 as a pro MMA fighter, with all nine wins coming by way of knockout or submission.