Though much of the news from this week's NXT tapings was focused on some other major moments coming together ahead of NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV, Cain Velasquez's appearance in the crowd raised quite a few eyebrows.
That wasn't all that Velasquez (14-2), 35, was up to during his time in Orlando, though, as the former two-time UFC heavyweight champion stepped into one of the rings at the WWE's Performance Center and learned from a few of the brightest minds in wrestling.
Velasquez stepped into the ring and ran through some moves with Performance Center athlete and former MMA fighter Adrian Jaoude. That happened under the watchful eye of trainer Norman Smiley, with assistance from a handful of other NXT superstars and referee Drake Wuertz.
The connections between MMA and WWE are vast and continue to grow on a regular basis. Universal champion Brock Lesnar has crossed back and forth between WWE and UFC on a number of occasions, even losing the heavyweight title to Velasquez himself. Lesnar recently challenged Daniel Cormier after Cormier defeated Stipe Miocic to win that same belt at UFC 225.
There are a number of other former MMA fighters currently on the WWE and NXT rosters, including the Four Horsewomen of MMA -- Ronda Rousey, Shayna Baszler, Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke.
I had a great time over the last couple days getting a few workouts in at the @wweperformctr and attending @wwenxt. Thanks to everyone at @wwe for the Invite and first-class treatment. #LuchaLibre pic.twitter.com/qWZTVRo9Wr
- Cain Velasquez (@cainmma) July 19, 2018