Valerie Loureda is moving on to the next stage of her career.
Loureda, a top women’s mixed martial arts prospect who was signed to Bellator MMA, announced on Wednesday that she has signed with WWE and is moving on from MMA. She confirmed the news during an interview on The MMA Hour.
“I have now become the first Cuban-American woman and I am now a WWE superstar,” Loureda told Ariel Helwani. “I’m really excited, and I’ve dedicated my whole life to martial arts, and everything has come to this moment. And this is my opportunity to showcase my culture and entertain the world. I’m emotional because I’ve worked really hard in my whole life. I’ve had a very hard upbringing, and every day, I’ve always just believed in myself, and trained hard hoping to make it to the next step and just chasing a dream that I’ve had in my heart since I was a baby.
I am honored to become the first Cuban American woman in history to sign with the WWE. I come from a family of immigrants, now it’s my time to represent our Latin culture, I was destined for this. Thank you for this opportunity @WWE @WWENXT I will make you proud. AZUCAR! #305 pic.twitter.com/sQ351nuxR8
— Valerie Loureda (@valerielouredaa) June 29, 2022
“Scott Coker and Mike Kogan, Rich Chou, they believed in me when I was 19 years old. My first professional fight was without shinguards at the Mohegan Sun. opening a main card. They gave me an opportunity opening a main card. They gave me an opportunity to brand myself and build this platform and just be me. Now, I’m making this transition, and my mind has shifted, but I know what I’m going to do in the WWE…
“I love fighting, but this is my time.”
The 23-year-old Miami native is a Taekwondo master and trains at the world-renowned gym American Top Team. Loureda is a former member of the U.S. Olympic taekwondo team and is a fourth-degree black belt.
During her pro MMA career, Loureda compiled a 4-1 record with two knockouts.
Loureda attended WWE tryouts in April prior to WrestleMania 38, and now she will be focusing her energy and passion on her new career after receiving the opportunity.
