Another big get for Bellator. It seems like the UFC’s new owners, WME, really aren’t too concerned with keeping around top fighters… Either that, or Bellator is paying out of the ass and the UFC can’t afford to match them, especially with billions in high interest loans they’ve got to service, and Ronda and Conor not fighting in quite a while (Who were previously the two biggest draws… Conor still is, but he hasn’t been bringing in any cash either way.)
Gegard joins the likes of Matt Mitrione, Ryan Bader, Phil Davis, Big Country, Rory MacDonald, Benson Henderson, Chael Sonnen, Tito Ortiz, and a handful of other former big names and top contenders that the UFC has let slip through their fingers. Bellator is been picking up legendary UFC fighters who are past their prime, along with current contenders, and also bringing up some fighters of their own. The next couple of years are going to be incredibly interesting.
A new era has arrived. Me signing my @BellatorMMA contract. Bellator MWs, there is a new sheriff in town. pic.twitter.com/eJ1yDmROcu
— Gegard Mousasi (@mousasi_mma) July 10, 2017
There are a lot of interesting fights for Mousasi in Bellator, he’s got a 6 fight deal, he fights often, and he’s only 31 years old despite having such a legendary career. It feels like he’s been around forever, but he’s in his prime right now… and whatever Bellator offered, the UFC could not tempt him to stay.
Mousasi isn’t the hugest name, but he’s definitely as legit as a fighter can possibly be, and has been vocally upset with the UFC, so this is a win for Bellator, a win for Gegard, and a HUGE loss for the UFC.
It’s just yet another fighter, and yet another reason for die-hard UFC fans to realize there’s more to MMA than just the UFC.
If you’re not going to be tuning into Bellator to watch Gegard, you’re making a big mistake. With each new acquisition, there’s more and more reason to watch Bellator, and UFC’s cards just get a little bit weaker. You might not be buying a PPV specifically to see some of the guys we’ve mentioned, but they’re always main card guys who definitely flesh out a card and make it a lot more interesting, and now they’re going to be over in Bellator.
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