Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is one the greatest heavyweights in MMA history; some say the greatest. At 37, he has made the wise decision to move on to a childhood passion, the WWE. While his fight career was beset with injuries, and WWE performers too suffer a brutal degree of injury, there is far less head trauma in professional wrestling.

And he loves it.

Velasquez has learned to ‘rassle at an astonishing pace, removed himself from the USADA testing pool, and signed a WWE contract. He is expected to feud with Brock Lesnar, who he crushed in the Octagon. And today he offered a fond farewell to the Octagon on his social network.

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 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 WWE 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 than I would like to admit, but I can honestly say I eat, sleep, and breathe 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.

Every true MMA fan wishes Cain fame, fortune, and happiness in his new endeavor.