The Bellator MMA roster is going to be growing by leaps and bounds because the promotion has sent out a press release stating that they have signed 24 fighters from the UK and Ireland to exclusive contracts.
Some of the notable names signed to the promotion include Cage Warriors vet Lewis Long, UFC veteran Norman Parke, UFC veteran Paul Redmond, UFC veteran Richie Smullen, Cage Warriors veteran Tim Wilde, UFC veteran Jim Wallhead, Cage Warriors veteran John Redmond and the lone female signing in Antonela Orlic.
Here is the full press release from Bellator MMA:
BELLATOR SIGNS 24 U.K. AND IRELAND-BASED FIGHTERS TO EXCLUSIVE MULTI-FIGHT AGREEMENTS
LOS ANGELES – Bellator today announced the signing of 24 U.K. and Ireland-based athletes to bolster the roster as the organization continues its growth initiative in the region, following already-announced plans for an exclusive fight series set to take place throughout the U.K., Ireland and western Europe.
Notably, former two-division BAMMA champ Terry Brazier, TUF: The Smashes lightweight winner Norman Parke, popular Irish lightweight Paul Redmond, undefeated SBG Ireland productKiefer Crosbie and TUF season 27-veteran Richie Smullen, are among the names now signed to exclusive multi-fight agreements with Bellator.
“Growing the Bellator organization throughout U.K. and Ireland has been a top priority for us for quite some time,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “Adding up-and-coming, as well as established, talent from the region to our roster plays a crucial role in us being able to take the next steps in this market. Our fans in the U.K. and Ireland can anticipate a much stronger Bellator presence and can look forward to seeing some of western Europe’s best MMA fighters inside the Bellator cage in the near future.”
Bellator has previously held events throughout the U.K. and Ireland, including London, Dublin, Belfast and Newcastle. Most recently, historic Bellator 200 emanated from The SSE Arena, Wembley on May 25 and featured Michael “Venom” Page, Linton Vassell, Aaron Chalmers and Mike Shipman among other top talent from the market.
Bellator is pleased to welcome the following fighters to the roster:
Lightweight:
Terry Brazier (10-1; fighting out of England)
Pedro Carvalho (8-3; fighting out of Ireland by way of Portugal)
Constantin Gnusariev (1-0; fighting out of Ireland by way of Moldova)
Luka Jelcic (10-3; fighting out of Ireland by way of Croatia)
Charlie Leary (15-9-1; fighting out of England)
Lewis Long (16-5; fighting out of Wales)
Norman Parke (25-6-1, 1 NC; fighting out of Northern Ireland)
Myles Price (10-7, fighting out of Ireland)
Paul Redmond (14-8; fighting out of Ireland)
Daniele Scatizzi (9-4; fighting out Ireland by way of Italy)
Sam Slater (2-0; fighting out of Ireland)
Richie Smullen (3-1-1; fighting out of Ireland)
Tim Wilde (12-3; fighting out of England)
Welterweight:
Ruben Crawford (16-3; fighting out of Ireland by way of Germany)
Kiefer Crosbie (4-0; fighting out of Ireland)
Walter Gahadza (17-3; fighting out of England)
Richard Kiely (2-1; fighting out of Ireland)
Ion Pascu (18-8; fighting out of Ireland by way of Romania)
Jim Wallhead (29-11; fighting out of England)
Featherweight:
Dylan Logan (2-3; fighting out of Ireland)
Nathan Rose (6-1; fighting out of England)
Middleweight:
Claudio Conti (7-5-2; fighting out of Ireland by way of Italy)
John Redmond (7-13; fighting out of Ireland)
Women’s Flyweight:
Antonela Orlic – (pro debut; fighting out of Ireland by way of Croatia)
About Bellator:
Bellator is a leading mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 1 billion people worldwide in over 160 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Paramount Network the combat sports television leader. Bellator is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. Bellator is based in Hollywood, Calif. and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world's premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.
About Paramount Network:
Paramount Network is a premium entertainment destination that pushes the limits of story-telling with bold original scripted and non-scripted series. Inspired by over a century of cinema, Paramount Network is where today’s brightest stars bring the experience of the big screen to every screen with stories that are immersive, inclusive, and deeply personal.