Tyson Nam
Despite an upset win over Bellator bantamweight champ Eduardo Dantas this past weekend at a Shoot Brazil 33 event, fighter Tyson Nam (12-4) now finds himself in a legal battle with the Chicago promotion.
With a first round one-punch knockout win over Dantas, Nam should be fielding offers from all kinds of promotions to compete under their banner. Unfortunately because of a previous contract with Bellator from earlier this year, one that never actually saw Nam fight for the promotion, the Brazilian finds himself in limbo as Bellator is invoking their right under the previously signed contract to “match” any offers given to Nam.
Speaking on “The MMA Show with Mauro Ranallo” on Tuesday, Nam detailed his legal battle with Bellator.
“On paper it’s one of the biggest upsets in all of MMA. But I myself know where I come from up in Portland. We train with guys that fight in the UFC, Bellator and Strikeforce. All I needed was one shot and they gave it to me and I shocked the world.
“Now, Bellator’s trying to hold me back with this contract matching. But they cut me back in the middle of June. They promised me a spot in the season seven bantamweight tournament, and they also promised me a non-tournament fight under Bellator. I never once fought for them, and my agent found me a fight outside of Bellator. I beat their champion and now they want to put legal actions on me.”
Also featured on the podcast were SI.com’s Jeff Wagenheim, Roufusport coach Duke Roufus, pro-wrestler Harry Smith, and boxing analyst Eric Raskin.