Retirement seems to be a temporary situation for Kurt Pellegrino.
The colorful New Jersey fighter who earned a substantial following during his days in the UFC has apparently decided to end his second retirement attempt and return to the cage. He’ll compete at a Nov. 15 Bellator event in Atlantic City, New Jersey, according to an announcement made by the promotion.
Pellegrino’s last fight was in Nov. 2011, when he lost to Patricky ‘Pitbull” Freire by first-round TKO. That fight had come just months after he quit the sport following a second straight UFC loss.
After losing to Freire, Pellegrino (16-7) swore he was done, saying, “This will be the last time you ever see me fight.”
But the promise didn’t take, and on the November show, which is to be held at the Revel Casino, the 34-year-old will face Saul Almeida. And, he promises that this time, it may truly be the end of his ride.
“I’ve been in retirement for the last two years, but I’ve been in the gym every day since and the competitive fire has still been burning inside of me,” Pellegrino said in a statement. “Every morning I wake up I realize I had the same dream as the night before, and it’s to go out the way I want. With Bellator back in Atlantic City, this is my opportunity to end my nightmare and go out the way I want, the way I deserve.”
The rest of the card remains to be announced. Bellator confirmed that Tom DeBlass would also find his way into competition, and that the night would also include the welterweight and featherweight finals for tournaments to be held during the upcoming fall season.