There is a new addition to the Bellator MMA heavyweightdivision as former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett has signed a deal with the promotion.
Barnett signed his contract with the promotion during an appearance on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show earlier today. There is no word at this time on any financial numbers associated with the deal, but the length of the contract is for a total of four fights according to Barnett's management team.
Bellator MMA President Scott Coker would also welcome the fighter to the promotion via Twitter:
Welcome to @BellatorMMA, @JoshLBarnett.
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) April 1, 2019
(Not an April Fools joke)
While no debut date has been set yet by either Bellator MMA or Barnett, one show the fighter hinted at for the debut was Bellator’s return to London this June.
Whenever Barnett does make his promotional debut, it would mark his first bout since defeating former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski at UFC Fight Night 93 in September of 2016. Barnett negotiated a release with the UFC last year, but the fighter wasn’t dissatisfied with the promotion, but with the drug testing agency known as USADA.
Before people see Barnett debut for Bellator MMA, fans will get to see him face Minoru Suzuki this Thursday at “Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport,” which is going to be covered live on Fightful.
