MMA fighter Valerie Loureda signs with WWE

[Liz]

Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour reported today that WWE has signed Valerie Loureda to a WWE deal, becoming the first Cuban-American woman signed with the promotion.

The 23-year-old Loureda will begin her WWE journey on July 19 despite remaining under contract with Bellator. The MMA fighter, who has a record of 4-1, will be working full-time with WWE but Bellator's Scott Coker said that they eventually look forward to welcome her back in the cage when she decides to return.

Posing for photos with a Money In The Bank briefcase in the middle of a road, Loureda wrote, "I am honored to become the first Cuban American woman in history to sign with the WWE. I come from a family of immigrants, now it's my time to represent our Latin culture, I was destined for this. Thank you for this opportunity @WWE @WWENXT

I will make you proud. AZUCAR! #305"

Triple H added, "An incredibly driven young woman working hard in sport and business to make a name for herself and her family. Cannot wait to have Valerie start training at the @WWEPC and make her impact in @WWENXT! Welcome to @WWE!"

Loureda is somewhat of a social media sensation and has nearly a million followers on Instagram despite still being fairly new to the sport of MMA.