Ex-Bellator MMA star Valerie Loureda signs with WWE on multi-year contract

Rising MMA star Valerie Loureda is leaving behind the fight game for the squared circle as she’s signed a multi-year deal to compete in WWE.

WWE has been far more selective with their signings over the past year or so but sometimes there is an opportunity far too great to pass up. Such is the case with now ex-Bellator star Valerie Loureda.

On Wednesday, Loureda announced that she was leaving MMA and has signed a multi-year contract with WWE. As per her post on social media, Loureda now becomes the first Cuban-American woman to sign with the pro wrestling giant.

Loureda had success as an MMA fighter, accruing a 4-1 professional record with Bellator at just 24 years old. Now as she ventures into pro wrestling, she’ll look to continue that success as she will surely head to NXT after she arrives at the WWE Performance Center on her first offical day, July 18.

WWE: Valerie Loureda signs multi-year deal

WWE has never been shy about looking to MMA for potential superstars and have had some success in doing so. Most recently, we’ve seen a guy like Riddle leave the UFC to wrestle on the independent circuit before then making his way to NXT and now looking like one of the company’s bigger draws.

Elsewhere, they’ve obviously gone after a big name like Ronda Rousey but have also found success with Shayna Baszler and others.

They are clearly hoping that Loureda, who has a large following already on social media and, again, is just 24 years old can follow the path to success in the squared circle. Given her accomplishments in the MMA world she’s now leaving, it seems like it might be a fool’s errand to bet against her.

Be sure to stay tuned to FanSided for all your WWE, AEW and Pro Wrestling coverage from unique analysis to fun angles, to viral content and much more.