Former UFC champion Ronda Rousey has been signed by WWE as a full-time professional wrestler.
Appearing at the WWE Royal Rumble in Philadephia on Sunday, Ms Rousey surprised crowds when she stepped into the ring.
Ms Rousey confirmed her decision to move over to WWE in a dramatic announcement after the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match.
Wearing a jacket belonging to her close friend and WWE Hall of Fame member, the late "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Ms Rousey pointed to the WrestleMania sign as the commentator said “the rumours are true”.
Ms Rousey’s move from UFC to WWE has been rumoured for some time. She first appeared in the WWE at Wrestle Mania on March 31 2015 when she was pulled into the ring by The Rock.
Speaking to ESPN she hit back at claims her announcement was a "publicity stunt".
Ms Rousey said: “This is my life now. First priority on my timeline for the next several years. This is not a smash-and-grab; this is not a publicity stunt."
She continued: "It's funny -- it's kind of like acting, in that it was something I always wanted to do but I never thought was in the cards for me," Rousey told presenter Ramona Shelburne.
"And now that I realise I really do have this opportunity, I feel like my six-year-old self would totally kick my ass if I didn't take it."
Ms Rousey posted a defiant Instagram picture after the announcement.
It read: “My road to #wrestlemania begins now”.
Evening Standard has reached out to Ms Rousey and WWE for further comment.