Ross Houston | Dolly Clew/Cage Warriors
The Scotsman was in negotiations with a number of different promotions around the world, but has chosen to compete in the Bellator cage.
Bellator have signed one of the hottest free agents on the European scene. The promotion announced the move on Thursday, February 20th, via press release, that former Cage Warriors welterweight champion, Ross Houston, was their newest welterweight signing.
Houston (8-0, 1NC) was released by Cage Warriors earlier this month after both parties decided it would be best to end their working relationship in an amicable fashion.
The undefeated Scotsman is a significant signing for Bellator, who are continuing their push into the European market this year. Following impressive wins over Aaron Khalid and Nathan Jones, the ‘Hitman’ was granted a title shot in Cage Warriors against then defending champion, Stefano Paterno. The pair battled over five rounds in one of the best fights of the year for the UK scene, but it was Houston who emerged with the split decision victory. He looked to defend his title for the first time at the Night of Champion’s event last June, against Nicolas Dalby, but the fight ended in a ‘no contest’ after the referee deemed there was too much blood on the canvas for the fighters to compete safely.
Many fans were hoping that a rematch between Dalby and Houston would be booked as part of the UFC’s debut event in Copenhagen, Denmark later that same year. But, while Dalby got a UFC contract, Houston didn’t.
No debut date or opponent has been announced for Houston yet but there is a strong possibility he could make his first appearance for the promotion at Bellator London this May. That card is set to be headlined by a bantamweight bout between Cal Ellenor and James Gallagher.