Valerie Loureda: Bellator star signs with WWE

MMA star Valerie Loureda, formerly of Bellator, has officially signed with WWE.

WWE always likes to bring in crossover stars from other sports, as has been seen with the likes of Brock Lesnar, Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle, and more recently, Gable Steveson.

WWE will tend to offer athletes from other sports big contracts to try their hand at wrestling, and we’ve now seen the latest example of that.

Valerie Loureda, a 23-year-old MMA fighter, has now officially signed with WWE, the promotion has confirmed.

Speaking about joining @WWE, MMA fighter @valerielouredaa told @nypost, "I want to represent where I came from, my roots, and really bring a new edge into this company that's never been seen before. This is a big win for Latinas all over the world."https://t.co/DHq3wgxs8u

WWE confirmed the news with the tweet above, promoting Loureda’s recent interview with the New York Post, where she spoke about signing with the wrestling giant.

Loureda was part of the tryouts that took place during WrestleMania week in April, and it seems like scouts were rather impressed with what she had to offer.

She’s expected to remain under contract with Bellator and continue her work in MMA, where she has a 4-1 record, all while being part of the WWE roster as a full-time Superstar.

Loureda spoke about her first experience at a WWE show, which was actually at WrestleMania 38 two months ago, where she told the New York Post that she “fell in love”.

“That was my first WWE show ever — I had never been to a live event,” Loureda said. “When I walked into the arena and saw the organization, the professionalism, the crowd and just the beautiful production that WrestleMania is — I just fell in love with it.”

She explained that despite never having had a