Well, we didn’t see this one coming: Bellator MMA today (July 10) announced the signing of top contender and free agent Gegard Mousasi to an exclusive, multi-fight contract.
Long-considered one of the elite two-division threats in MMA, Mousasi joins Bellator currently riding a five-fight win streak that includes recent knockout victories over two former world champions in Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort.
Prior to his UFC tenure, Mousasi captured the Strikeforce light-heavyweight title, as well as the DREAM light-heavyweight and middleweight titles in Japan.
The signing sees Mousasi rejoin Bellator President Scott Coker following his successful run with Strikeforce from 2009 to 2013.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Gegard to the growing Bellator family,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “He’s one of the most well-rounded fighters in all of MMA and can compete in multiple divisions, so that really opens up some exciting matchmaking opportunities for us and for the fans. We’re looking forward to having him compete on Spike very soon.”
“I am looking forward to fighting in Bellator,” added Mousasi. “I have a long-standing relationship with Scott Coker that goes back many years. Be ready: I am coming after the Bellator middleweight championship.”
The Iranian-born Mousasi has amassed an overall career record of 42-6-2 and has earned victories over some of the sport’s biggest names, including Dan Henderson, ‘Jacare’ Souza, Mark Hunt, Ovince Saint-Preux, Melvin Manhoef, Hector Lombard and ‘Babalu’ Sobral.
The addition of Mousasi adds depth to an ever-growing Bellator roster, which has recently seen free agents Rory MacDonald, Lorenz Larkin, Michael McDonald and Ryan Bader join the Viacom-owned promotion.
