Originally published on ProWrestlingSheet.

UFC legend Cain Velasquez has confirmed his retirement from MMA after signing with WWE, and now he's determined to win the Universal Championship.

Velasquez shared the following statement via social media:

To the UFC, my family, friends, and all the fans, thank you for the past 11 years. Thank you to all my coaches, teammates and agents. I am so blessed to have been able to have a career doing something I absolutely love. I knew from the time I was a junior in college I wanted to be a fighter and after graduating from college, I set off on my journey of becoming a fighter with the goal of being UFC Heavyweight champion. There are few people in this world that can say that they have achieved what I have, and I am forever grateful for the opportunities and position I held being a part of the UFC. With my official retirement from the UFC, it's time for the next chapter.

A year ago, when I went to my first VVWE show, I fell back in love with a sport that I had watched and participated in since I was a child. From that moment, I have been doing a crash course on all things that relate to pro wrestling. I've been training at different gyms, going to shows and watching more matches then I would like to admit, but I can honestly say I eat, sleep and breath wrestling now. The contract is signed and I'm on my way to my next goal which is Universal Champion.

WWE Universe, thank you for welcoming me with open arms.

As we previously reported, Cain is said to have signed a multi-year WWE contract.

The UFC star's first WWE match will be against Brock Lesnar at Crown Jewel on October 31.