Former UFC heavyweight Cheick Kongo has been signed by Bellator MMA and he will be one of the participants in the season nine heavyweight tournament.
Bellator officials announced the signing on Wednesday in a press release and will make his debut with the organization next month.
“If you’re an MMA fan, you’re a Kongo fan,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said. “No matter who he fights he’s always going to bring the fight and put on a great show, and he’s one of the best guys you’ll have the pleasure of dealing with in MMA. This is another example of our alliance with Wolfslair and Anthony McGann resulting in our signing an exciting, explosive fighter to our roster who fans know and love.”
Kongo (18-8-2) had his UFC contract expire after his defeat to Roy Nelson at UFC 159 in April. While in the UFC, he went 11-6-1 and had won three of his previous five fights in the organization. After his contract expired, the French fighter took some time away before deciding to accept the contract offer from Bellator.
“After my contract was up in the UFC, I really wanted to take some time and reflect on everything,” Kongo said. “After talking to the people around me, especially someone like my longtime friend in Rampage, he told me how well Bellator has been treating him and what we can do with Bellator, and after getting to know Bjorn Rebney, it just seemed like the right fit for me. I know I have plenty of fight left in me, and my fight in October is the first step to getting that Bellator Heavyweight Title.”
More details on the upcoming season nine heavyweight tournament will be released in the near future by Bellator.