MMA star Valerie Loureda has credited one particular megastar for sparking her interest in WWE.
Back in June it was announced that WWE had signed popular Mixed Martial Arts star Valerie Loureda. The 23-year-old signed a multi-year deal with the company after impressing during a try-out in the Spring.
Loureda won’t be heading to the main roster just yet however, as she will begin her WWE journey in NXT.
During a recent interview with Sam Roberts, the star discussed the reasoning behind signing with WWE. Loureda revealed that it was seeing Charlotte Flair perform at WestleMania that made her want to become a WWE Superstar.
“Yeah, Charlotte Flair is what did it for me. My last fight was in November and in my mind, I was still fighting. Then, I went to WrestleMania — have you guys ever been? It’s just another level. You go in there and you leave different. That’s what changed my mind and I just prayed for this opportunity and it came through,”
Despite joining WWE, Loureda will remain signed to Bellator, leaving the way open for her to return to the octagon. She currently holds a record of four wins with one defeat.
Upon signing with WWE, the star explained that she planned to move move from Miami, where she trained under Dan Lambert’s American Top Team, to Orlando, the home of the Performance Center.
H/t to Fightful for the transcription.