[BREAKING] MMA/Boxing Announcer Mauro Ranallo Hired As Lead Announcer For WWE SmackDown

The official website for Sports Illustrated is reporting that WWE has hired boxing and mixed martial arts announcer Mauro Ranallo to become the brand new lead announcer for SmackDown once the program moves to USA Network in January.

It is also being reported that as part of his deal with WWE, Ranallo will continue his announcing duties for both the GLORY kickboxing promotion and Showtime Boxing on top of working for WWE full-time.

Ranallo began his announcing career in Canada and, as of late, has been performing voiceover announcing work for New Japan Pro Wrestling on the AXS TV network alongside Josh Barnett. He is also very familiar with the world of professional wrestling, having formerly worked with The Score in Canada on the "Right After Wrestling" program with current WWE broadcaster Renee Young.

Regarding his hiring, Ranallo was quoted as saying that he was contacted by Michael Cole via email about a month ago and asked if he would be interested in coming to WWE. Ranallo then forwarded some of his past broadcasting work to WWE, including a promotional bit where he called a mock fight between Floyd Mayweather and Warren Buffet, which reportedly impressed WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. Ranallo was further quoted as stating the following:

"This was an opportunity I did not think I would get at this point of my career and I jumped on it. I have been a lifelong fan of the product. Michael said that when Vince saw the Warren Buffet video, it seemed to cinch it. They believed I could sell the entertainment part."

Ranallo further stated that he wasn't sure who his SmackDown broadcast partners would be, but as of this report, they are still expected to be WWE Hall of Famers Booker T and Jerry "The King" Lawler. On top of announcing for SmackDown, Ranallo will also regularly be in attendance backstage at Raw and monthly pay-per-view events, including the upcoming WrestleMania 32.

WWE is expected to officially announce Ranallo's hiring this coming Monday.