Two-time heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has quietly retired from mixed martial arts after signing a multi-year deal with WWE, reports ESPN.
It was recently reported that the 37-year-old fighter had removed himself from the USADA testing pool, which requires six months of consecutive drug testing prior to competing – an indication that he was moving on from the sport.
Velasquez made his pro-wrestling debut at AAA Triplemania earlier this year, and made a surprise appearance last week on the Friday Night Smackdown debut on FOX, tackling Brock Lesnar to the mat just moments after he won back the WWE Championship.
The two will face off on October 31 in Saudi Arabia, as confirmed by WWE earlier today at a press conference in Las Vegas.