Valerie Loureda recently revealed his new WWE name and in-ring attire after quitting MMA to pursue professional wrestling.
The 24-year-old has made a big impact in her short fighting career, winning four out of five fights and attracting a legion of fans due to her racy social media presence and post-fight dance routines. .
In June, the former Bellator star announced that she had signed a landmark contract with WWE and was no longer interested in competing in MMA.
“I have now become the first Cuban-American woman and I am now a WWE Superstar,” Loureda told MMA Fighting.
“I’m really excited, and I’ve dedicated my whole life to martial arts, and it’s all happened in this moment. And this is my opportunity to show my culture and entertain the world.
“I am moved because I have worked very hard all my life. I had a very tough upbringing, and every day I always believed in myself and trained hard in hopes of taking the next step and chasing a dream that I have held in my heart ever since. that I’m a baby.”
“[Bellator] gave me the opportunity to brand myself and build this platform and just be me. Now I’m making this transition, and my mind has changed, but I know what I’m going to do in WWE. I love to fight, but this is my moment.
Six months later, Loureda made her in-ring debut at an NXT house show in Florida last month. She teamed with Xyon Quin and Bronco Nima to take on Andre Chase, Duke Hudson and Thea Hail, but found herself on the losing side in her debut.
Now she’s put the finishing touches on her WWE persona “Lola Vice” which she recently showed off for the very first time on social media.
“Lola Vice, the first Cuban-American woman in WWE history,” Loureda wrote alongside video of herself in costume during a photoshoot.
Loureda isn’t the first and certainly won’t be the last MMA star to make the switch to professional wrestling.
Former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey caused a stir in WWE after retiring from MMA following a quick loss to Amanda Nunes in 2016.
Paige VanZant is a former UFC fighter and current bare-knuckle boxer who signed with All Elite Wrestling earlier this year after several cameos in 2021.