Former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has made the decision to move on from MMA so he can focus on professional wrestling.

Velasquez (14-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) has informed the UFC of his intention to withdraw from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) testing pool, effectively signaling his retirement from active MMA competition, a person with knowledge of the situation told MMA Junkie.

The decision by Velasquez, who suffered a 26-second knockout loss to Francis Ngannou at UFC on ESPN 1 in February in his only fight in more than three years, likely sets the stage for a full-time move to pro wrestling.

That move was signified when on Friday Velasquez showed up on the WWE Smackdown debut on FOX when he confronted newly crowned WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar, who he dethroned of the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 121 in October 2010.

Velasquez made his in-ring debut with the AAA promotion in Mexico City in August and impressed with the quickness in which he adapted. His second match came this past month, and again the former UFC titleholder came away with rave reviews.

The 37-year-old told MMA Junkie in late August that he was grappling with the decision to continue fighting. He said he was still passionate for MMA, but was falling hard for professional wrestling.

“I’ve always loved MMA as well from when I started doing it until now,” Velasquez said. “I’m still training and I still love it, so I’m not sure if I’m done yet. I still love MMA but pro wrestling is something I really love as well. It hit me by surprise and I wasn’t sure if I would like it or if I could even do it at first. I’ve becoming a natural to it. I love the acting side of it, the entertainment. I get to do stuff that’s physical then it also looks cool.”

According to a report from ESPN.com, Velasquez has yet to officially sign a contract with WWE. However, the two sides are in talks.