Following multiple claims of being wanted back by WWE, Alberto Del Rio has reportedly signed a deal with UFC.
According to Lucha Libre Online, the former WWE Champion has inked an announcing deal with the MMA giants that will see him provide Spanish commentary. It’s also reported that he will make his debut at UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall in London this Saturday.
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"4-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion and former MMA fighter, part of the Lucha Libre Online family, Alberto Del Río, officially arrives at the UFC," the above tweet reads in Englsh. "This will make his debut as a commentator in Spanish for the @UFCEspanol this Saturday."
The deal is understood to be a short-term one, but there is interest in making it long-term on the parts of both parties, while Del Rio is also expected to be on commentary for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
Del Rio has MMA experience, having competed regularly in Mexico and Japan between 2000-2010, building up a 9-6 record. He fought as recently as 2019, losing to former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz in a catchweight bout.
A Successful Run With WWE
Del Rio signed with WWE back in 2009 and had a great debut, beating Rey Mysterio on an episode of SmackDown in 2010. He would go on to have a successful stint at the promotion, winning the WWE Championship on two occasions and the World Heavyweight Championship two times as well. He also won the Royal Rumble in 2011, which was quite impressive as that particular one hosted 40 contestants.
The erstwhile WWE star was arrested in May of 2020 after he was reported for sexually assaulting his girlfriend and was subsequently released on $50,000 bail. Del Rio was charged with aggravated kidnapping and sexual assault, however, the charges were dropped last December.
