German MMA Fighter/Submission Grappler Nicolai Salchow Reports to WWE Performance Center

34-year-old Nicolai Salchow of Dusseldorf, Germany has reported to the WWE Performance Center. Salchow is a fairly-accomplished and well-rounded mixed martial arts competitor, as he currently holds a record of 6-1 in professional MMA bouts. Salchow specializes in the art of submission grappling, as he is a Brown Belt in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the less known art of Luta Livre, which also originates from Brazil. Luta Livre was founded by Euclydes Hatem, who trained in the dangerous sport of Catch-As-Catch-Can submission wrestling.

Nicolai Salchow was once a member of the Blackzilians MMA camp, which has included UFC, Bellator and PRIDE FC alumni such as Vitor Belfort, "Sugar" Rashad Evans, Anthony "Rumble" Johnson, Thiago Silva, Eddie Alvarez, and Matt "Meathead" Mitrione.

Salchow has also been successful in Muay Thai kickboxing competitions as well.

The following comes from WWE.com:

A new and dangerous gladiator has entered the ranks of the WWE Performance Center.

Nicolai Salchow is the latest recruit to begin training under the WWE PC coaching staff in Orlando, Fla. Though a newcomer to the world of sports-entertainment, Salchow is a former MMA fighter who’s no stranger to combat sports.

Hailing from Dusseldorf, Germany, Salchow stands 6 feet tall and weighs 230 pounds. He holds a 6-1 record in professional fights, with three of his wins coming via first-round TKOs. Salchow was previously a member of the Blackzilians camp, which was once among the most prolific teams in MMA, training alongside the likes of former UFC light heavyweight Anthony Johnson and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans.

In addition to holding brown belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and the Brazilian martial art of Luta Livre, Salchow has won titles in grappling and Thai boxing competitions. He captured the attention of WWE scouts while attending a tryout at the WWE PC last June. Salchow cites The Rock and Vader as two of his biggest influences in sports-entertainment.