Former UFC fighter Lorenz Larkin recently made headlines when he left the UFC to sign a multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA.
The UFC veteran says that he signed with the Viacom owned promotion because they saw him as an asset.
“I just wanted to be somewhere where the promotion thought I could really help out the company and just be an asset and have somebody that’s really excited to work with me. That was a really big thing for me, and that’s the whole reason why I tested free agency out. Don’t get me wrong; every fighter wants a better financial situation, but I’m not willing to take a financial situation with somebody that doesn’t give a (expletive) about me. I want somebody that wants to work with me and we can come to a mutual deal that makes sense for both of us and have that backing behind me,” Larkin said to MMA Junkie.
Larkin’s last fight in the UFC was a TKO victory over Neil Magny at UFC 202.
During his time in the UFC, the new Bellator MMA signee earned a record of 5-4-0.
In his promotional debut, the former UFC fighter will be challenging Bellator MMA Welterweight Champion Douglas Lima at Bellator 180.
Lima (28-6-0) will be making the first defense of his championship, as he won it by defeating Andrey Koreshkov by third round knockout at Bellator 164. The champion will also be entering the fight while riding a two fight winning streak.
Larkin (18-5-0-1NC) has won four of his last five fights, with some notable wins coming over John Howard, Neil Magny and Jorge Masvidal. Larkin also holds a victory over former UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler, the win took place back at a Strikeforce event in July 2012.
Bellator 175 takes place on Saturday, June 24 from Madison Square Garden in New York, New York with Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva headlining. Fightful will be providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
