Pro Wrestler Alberto "Dos Caras Jr/Alberto Del Rio" Rodriguez is Returning to MMA in 2019

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Whether fans want to believe it or not, there’s a link between the worlds of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts. Combate Americas spokesperson, Alberto Del Rio has experienced success in both worlds long before Ronda Rousey and Brock Lesnar became the central stars that they are today. On this week’s edition of The MMA Hour with Luke Thomas, the former WWE champion informed the fight community that he’s going to step back into the cage at some point in 2019.

“I’m going to jump into the cage for the first time,” Del Rio said. “In 2019 I’m going to fight in the cage for Combate Americas.”

For those that are professional wrestling fans, they may be unaware that this isn’t Del Rio’s first exposure to the MMA industry. In fact, he has a 9-5 professional record that includes nearly a decade of action; competing for organizations such as Deep and Pride. In fact, many may remember his infamous knockout at the hands of Mirko “Cro Cop” at Pride Bushido 1 where he stepped into the ring wearing a mask and under the persona of Dos Caras Jr. His last fight occurred back in February of 2010 where he was defeated by Yamamoto Hanshi by TKO; snapping his six-fight win streak. In 2017 he joined Combate Americas as the organization’s president but has since stepped aside for a more spokesmen-like role.

“I really love this company,” Del Rio said. “It’s not just about giving something back to the Latinos and the company; it’s about giving something back to myself.”

Del Rio is a controversial figure across professional wrestling; both for his conduct in the industry and his public former relationship with another professional wrestler named Paige. He last appeared as a part of the Impact roster in April of this year but was released after no-showing a Lucha Underground vs. Impact Wrestling event. Del Rio opened up about the lost love that he experienced for professional wrestling.

“I fell in love with it [wrestling] for the sense of respect and loyalty,” Del Rio said. “But it has changed in a way that I’m not enjoying it anymore. Watching these amazing fighters going toe to toe made me feel hungry about fighting again. Like Sylvester Stallone said in the last “Rocky” movie, ‘I have a beast in the basement.’”

No official event or opponent has been named for Del Rio’s return to competition, but he hinted at the idea of facing someone in a superfight.

“I’m going to be facing a former champion; well known in Mexico and the United States,” Del Rio said. “If we get him, it’s going to be a super fight – a fight that all the Latino fans will love. It’s a big name for all of the Latinos and for the American fans.”

Del Rio performed for the WWE for two stints, most recently of which ended in 2016. During that time he held multiple titles for the organization including the WWE Championship, Heavyweight Championship and Tag Team titles.

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I don't know how to feel about this.

Thoughts?

I sort of get why Rodriguez is getting back into the MMA game since it is pretty much unlikely he will get a steady job in a big Pro Wrestling promotion again after the incidents with his ex girlfriend have had a negative impact on his name and he has the legit ability to fight MMA.  That said, he is in early 40s and has been out of the game since 2010. It's not like he has been staying somewhat active in the fight game like Cro Cop, Fedor, and etc.  I just don't know what to make of this.

* Edited at 10.02.2018, 8:48 PM ET *

He's a tool, hope he gets brutally KOed Cro Cop style again.

Idiot wore a mask against cro cop head kicker for **** sakes.