Quinton “Rampage” Jackson made headlines today by signing with Bellator but it appears he may not be the only former UFC fighter heading to the Bellator cage.
MMA Weekly is reporting that Jackson’s teammate, former UFC vet Cheick Kongo, has also signed with the promotion.
Kongo was believed to have been cut from the UFC following a loss to Roy Nelson at UFC 159. However, the veteran took to his Facebook page to quell those rumors.
“Don’t believe he said/she said stories. I have not been cut by the UFC,” Kongo wrote. “I am Cheick Kongo, so I know best what’s next for me. It doesn’t mean that I am leaving the UFC. It doesn’t mean that I am staying. It means this is my life (MMA Weekly).”
It appears Kongo decided it would be best for his career to take his talents to Bellator rather than stay in the UFC. I’m inclined to agree with Kongo.
It was clear Kongo had become a poster-child for the term “gatekeeper” while in the UFC. He was good enough to beat most of the up and coming fighters but couldn’t secure a victory over one of the better heavyweights in the division.
His losses tended to be very emphatic while his victories were anything but “must-see TV.”
Now, Kongo heads to a heavyweight division that is incredibly shallow. Bellator‘s own website only lists 18 fighters in their heavyweight division and only a few would be known to MMA hardcore fans.
Kongo will likely enjoy a much easier time in the cage and could find himself on the fast track to a world title.
Expect Kongo to be heavily featured along with “Rampage” and “King Mo” for upcoming seasons of Bellator.
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