After being reported on Friday night’s edition of Inside MMA on AXS TV, Bellator MMA has officially announced the signing of former UFC welterweight Matt Riddle.
Riddle (7-3, 2NC) has signed a long-term promotional agreement with the California based mixed martial arts organization and will make his debut with the company in the upcoming welterweight tournament in the fall.
“I had so many options after I left the UFC, but knowing that I was able to compete in a tournament against guys like Paul Daley, Ben Saunders, and Douglas Lima, signing with Bellator was an easy decision,” Riddle said. “This division is just so stacked, and being able to fight in a tournament makes it even better. Bellator is doing a lot of great things right now, and I want to be a part of it.”
The Ultimate Fighter Alum has had all of his fights come in the UFC and was released earlier this year after a second positive drug test for marijuana in less than a year. After starting his career 5-3, he is 2-0, 2 NC in his last two fights and both of the fights that ended up being ruled no contest were originally wins for him.
“Matt’s got all the tools to be a force in our welterweight division,” Rebney said. “When I saw Matt get released from the UFC coming off 4 straight wins including his dominant win over Mills in February, we took notice. We both realize that Matt will have a target on his back for his past indiscretions. But having discussed it with him, I’m comfortable that he’s in the right place to enter the Bellator cage this fall in what will be the most loaded Bellator Welterweight Tournament in the promotions history.”
The upcoming Bellator welterweight tournament will have several notable fighters, Riddle has his sights on winning the tournament and then taking his wife to the MTV awards and meeting Snoop Dogg.
“No questions asked, I want to win the next Bellator Welterweight Tournament, get my shot at the title and take my beautiful wife to the MTV Awards and meet Snoop Dogg,” Riddle remarked. “I’ve seen all the pictures of Bellator guys walking red carpets and it’s something I want to earn and be able to do. What could be better than that?”