Jon “War Machine” Koppenhaver, the fighter who first gained fame on The Ultimate Fighter before his career was sidelined by legal troubles, has signed on with Bellator, fresh off his release from jail and a win in his first fight back.
Bellator confirmed the signing on Thursday.
Koppenhaver’s signing is actually the second time he’s hooked up with the organization. In 2009, he was set to start with the group but was cut before ever actually fighting for them.
That was just one of a series of problems in a topsy-turvy life that has included among other things, serving one year in jail for a felony assault conviction, and briefly performing in adult movies.
In his fight career, he is 12-4, and has fought once since regaining his freedom, defeating Roger Huerta by third-round TKO in November.
Bellator did not offer details on when he might debut, but it’s likely that he will be included in their upcoming welterweight tournament when their sixth season begins on March 2.