The new Bellator light heavyweight champion isn’t going anywhere any time soon.
Coming off his dramatic win over Emanuel Newton last month, Liam McGeary has signed a multi-fight and multi-year contract extension with Bellator MMA, the organization announced in a press release Monday.
“I’m excited to have signed this contract extension with Bellator,” McGeary said in the release. “I know that I’ve got a target on my back as champion, but I’ve never been one to walk away from a fight. Whoever [Bellator president] Scott Coker decides to put across the cage from me next, it doesn’t matter. To me, their name might as well be ‘Victory No. 11.’ I look forward to working with Coker and Spike TV for years to come.”
That next opponent could very well be UFC Hall of Famer and former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz, who is campaigning hard for a title shot.
Right now, though, McGeary (10-0) will revel in his new belt. The undefeated 32-year-old became the first British champion of a major MMA organization when he defeated Emanuel Newton by unanimous decision on Feb. 27 at Bellator 134 in Connecticut. The Norfolk, England product now lives in New York City where he trains at Renzo Gracie Academy.
McGeary showed off the jiu-jitsu he has learned against Newton with a rare display of dominating a fight off his back. He now sports a 7-0 record in Bellator with six first-round finishes.