Sam Sicilia was cut by the UFC earlier this year, but his free agent tag didn’t last long because he recently signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA.
The one-time UFC employee says that he felt Bellator MMA officials heard what he had to say, which is one reason he signed with them.
“I felt really heard (during contract negotiations),” Sicilia told MMA Junkie. “It’s really not a big step backwards (from UFC). It’s a different company, but you still get a shot at beating the big guys and being in the big fights. A lot of guys are moving there. It just feels like a good fit to be around.”
Sicilia didn’t have much success in the UFC, holding a 5-7-0 record during his time with the promotion.
During his time in the UFC, the promotion labeled Sicilia a brawler and he felt he had to live up to that moniker.
“I was being sold off as a brawler and was playing my role a little bit,” Sicilia said. “They would put this fight together, because they want two brawlers, so I thought, ‘I’ll just go brawl with him.’ I wasn’t so much focused on winning as I should have been.”
Even though he has just signed with Bellator MMA, a debut date and opponent have yet to be set.
