Nick Newell is returning to a major promotion and hopes to make Bellator his long-term home.
Nick Newell is ready for the big leagues.
The fan-favorite fighter has finally landed in a major promotion following his loss on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series last summer. The news comes days after Newell told Bloody Elbow’s Pull No Punches podcast he had a “big announcement” on the way.
Newell (15-2) will make his Bellator debut against Corey Browning (5-2) at Bellator 225 in Bridgeport, Connecticut on Aug. 24. Browning has previously played spoiler to Bellator projects Kevin Ferguson Jr. — better known as “Baby Slice” — and former Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers. In Newell, however, Browning will fight a battle-tested WSOF star who once fought Justin Gaethje for the promotion’s lightweight title.
“I know how good I am and I know I’m in the elite of the sport,” Newell told MMAjunkie. “The guy I fought on Contender Series is undefeated and there’s so much unknown. When I fought Justin Gaethje he was unknown, but I gave him a better fight than two guys who are ranked top-10 in the world, and now he’s top five. I know where I stand and I know I’m elite and Bellator is the best place for me to show my skills.”
“As far as I’m concerned I’m 0-0 going into this fight,” he continued. “It’s a clean slate and it’s a fresh start. It’s an opportunity for me to make a statement in the big leagues. I went 4-1 in WSOF, so I’m used to these stages. I’ve fought some of the best guys in the world and I’m ready for this. Bellator is the biggest of stages. It’s premier. It’s the top of the sundae to me. I’m really excited to do this and I don’t feel any pressure. I’m ready to make a statement.”
Newell lives 10 minutes away from the arena and thought it would be the perfect place to make his Bellator debut.
“I had my team reach out to them and coming off the impressive win I just had. All things considered with my record and who I’ve beaten, they thought it was a good fit and they got me on the card,” he shared. Newell has only signed for a one-fight deal but plans on making the most of the opportunity. “It’s going to be an unforgettable night and an unforgettable performance. I plan on going out there and showing Bellator I’m worth a long-term deal.”
Bellator 225 is headlined by a rematch between Matt Mitrione and Sergei Kharitonov. The card also boasts a heavyweight clash between Valentin Moldavsky and Timothy Johnson.