23-year-old former taekwondo competitor Valerie Loureda has captivated the MMA world. The 4-1 fighter recently earned a split decision win over Taylor Turner at Bellator 271, however, she has now moved on to other things — including WWE.
As she awaits to make her WWE NXT debut, the 23-year-old is teasing that it could be around the corner in her latest Instagram Story.
“Good morning world,” Loureda wrote alongside a steamy hot photo of herself flaunting her rock hard abs in a pink bikini. “Everyday is another step closer to my WWE NXT debut.”
She is posing in front of a hammack, wearing pink sandals that match her bikini perfectly, and her iconic necklace and sunglasses.
Valerie Loureda Signs With WWE
Earlier this year, the Miss MMA model announced she has signed a contract with WWE, ending her time in MMA. When speaking to the new chapter in her life, Loureda told Ariel Helwani, “I have now become the first Cuban-American woman and I am now a WWE superstar. 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.”
Trying to hold back tears, the fighter continued to say, “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.”
She went on to thank the Bellator executives for believing in her, saying, “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.”
The 23-year-old concluded with, “I love fighting, but this is my time.”
Although she signed with WWE, she has yet to make her WWE NXT debut.
When Will Valeria Loureda Make Her WWE NXT Debut?
Earlier this year, the former MMA star signed with WWE NXT, however, she has not yet joined any brands.
Shawn Michaels, WWE’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative, recently spoke with Kevin H. Kellam on a media call to promote the upcoming Halloween Havoc premium live event. While on the call, Michaels also spoke to the future of Loureda, as well as Ava Raine, who signed with the company in 2020, on when we can expect to see the tars make their debut on WWE NXT.
“So look, both are coming along great. I don’t want to give out all the trade secrets and stuff, but I think easily in my opinion, 2023 or sure,” Michaels said. “But they are both getting awfully darn close… I would easily say both of them, maybe by the end of the year but absolutely 2023 and certainly in the future. They’re very close.”
