Mauro Ranallo has led an incredibly successful career as a combat sports play-by-play commentator, calling fights for PRIDE FC, Strikeforce, GLORY kickboxing, and championship boxing on Showtime.
The pinnacle of his career was last May when he called the international feed for the Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather fight. But there was one gig he had always sought after, and now he will get that chance in 2016.
Ranallo, 45, recently signed with WWE as the lead announcer for "Smackdown" and will make his debut when that program moves from the SYFY channel to USA network starting on Jan. 7, 2016. USA has been the home of the other WWE flagship show "RAW."
The veteran commentator, who began his stint in professional wrestling at only 16 in Canada, brings a career spanning over 30 years into WWE.
"I was blessed to start my career as part of this industry," Ranallo told Bleacher Report. "And now, after 30 years of living different dreams and loving every second, at 45...the granddaddy of them all...the one that got away for so long, lands in my lap."
Ranallo, who was recently calling matches for New Japan Pro Wrestling with Josh Barnett on AXS TV, will continue his duties calling fights for GLORY kickboxing on ESPN platforms and Championship Boxing on Showtime.
"Smackdown" has broadcast over 800 original episodes over the last 15 years from 170 venues in 148 cities in seven different countries, which include the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Iraq, Japan, Italy and Mexico.
"You visualize it and work to set yourself up for these kinds of opportunities. And when they come to fruition, I'm like a kid at Christmas. I'm just walking around here with my mouth agape that I'm part of this incredible entertainment entity."