The biggest free agent in mixed martial arts is now an unrestrictive free agent as Bellator MMA has released Ben Askren from his contract with the organization.
Bellator MMA Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney announced the move on Thursday morning in a press release.
With Askren being released from his contract, Bellator will not have any matching rights and Askren can now sign with the UFC.
“I’ve said it many times, Ben’s a completely one-dimensional fighter who is utterly dominant in that dimension,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said. “I had a number of discussions with Ben and it became clear it was time for both parties to move in different directions. We’ve relinquished any right to match here and Ben can sign with whoever he chooses to sign with. Ben’s been at Bellator since the start of his career, I respect him and what he’s accomplished and wish him the best wherever he goes.”
Following the news of his release from his Bellator contract, Askren tweeted out a short statement and he tagged the UFC in the tweet.
I am now free to go to the @UFC and beat whoever I want.
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) November 14, 2013
If Bellator had not released him from his contract today, they would have had matching rights until July. This now allows the undefeated welterweight to receive an offer from the UFC and could make his debut with them in early 2014.
With the Bellator welterweight title now being vacant, season eight tournament winner Douglas Lima will meet the winner of the current welterweight tournament in 2014 to crown the next Bellator welterweight champion.