The MMA veteran did spešnd some time training at the WWE Performance Center before the upcominź©µg Octagon return and Velasquez has nothing but great things to say about his timeš there.
āIt was more like just a learning process for me, itās obviously a different sportā¦ a whole different way of doing it. So for me, it was just an opportunity to seeā¦to see if I can even do it. If it translated over from what Iāve done in the past to this or is it something totally different, I found that for meā¦I learned a lot of the stuff just really quickly from past experiences, from wrestlingā¦from MMA. Itās like working with someone instead of working against them and trying to beat them, which I thought was super cool. Really good atmosphere with the people that are theirā¦the coaches, in thereā¦youāre teamed together, youāre helping each other go forward and trying to make the WWE the best thing that it can be and just that mentality is awesome. Itās different from what we do here in mixed martial arts, we have teams that weāre associated withā¦yes, but as far as the whole sport in generalā¦weāre not all really working together for the same goals. Itās a little different, itās a little more self centered. WWE may seem that way, but itās not. Itās people working together, itās the people in charge like Triple H helping everyone to be their best and that to me is something I havenāt experienced since I was in college or high school. Just a really positive work environment, it was awesome," Velasquez said at the UFC Fź¦ ight Night Phoenix media day.
There have been several big name MMA fighters who have had success transitioning into pro wrestling, including Ronda Rousey, Ken Shamrock, Tom Lawlor, Dan Severn and more.
After spending that time in the WWšE Performance Center, one thing the UFC star knows is that he can transition into pro wrestling and be successful at it.
āHell yeah (I can do it), I am (interested in doing it) just because the transition for meā¦it was pretty easy, not pretty easyā¦but it was. Iām pretty athletic for a big guy, I learned by watching somebody doing something I can do pretty well. Iāve never been a guy to be sitting in a classroom, I try to learn that way. Thatās never been me, but to be in a setting like thatā¦where youāre hands on, learning that way is the best way I learn. I did it all, I was there and I did whatever they asked of me. (I wasnāt like) āno, no Iām not doing that.ā That wasnāt me, I was in there doing everything they asked. Trying to learn the baby steps and go from there and also have fun in the process, Diamond Dallas Page was there doing his DDP Yoga before every workout session that we did and it was great. Again, everybody meeting up to do that and before, everybody worked outā¦it was just a great community to be a part of," says Velasquez.Ā
Velasquez has stated in the past that the goal is to beā the best as everything he attempts and pro wrestling can be a paārt of that as well.
āThat could be one of those things (that I want to be the best at), yes. With that too, it will also take time. I need to be in the gym more to do that, I gotta be engulfed in it for months and months to be the best that I could at it. Iām not looking to go in and do it half-ass, to do some appearances here and there. Again, if Iām going to do it, Iām going to do it a hundred percent. Thatās just the way I am," says Velasquez.
UFC Fight Night Phoenix takes place on Sunday, February 17 fromā the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizonaš with Francis Ngannou and Cain Velasquez headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on ESPN.
