Bellator Fighting Championships has signed Russian welterweight Magomed Saadulaev (14-1), who will make the drop down to lightweight for his debut in a non-tournament bout as part of the promotions upcoming sixth season.
News of the signing was confirmed by MMAjunkie.com on Saturday after speaking to sources close to Saadulaev.
Bellator’s Season Six will kick off next month on March 9 with the Bellator 60 event. Tournaments set for this season include the bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight, welterweight and middleweight divisions.
Saadulaev has won three straight, all coming in 2011 having earned his last win in November, a first round submission win at a ProFC event in Russia where he headlined. So far the Russian fighter has earned eight victories by submission and six by decision, he has yet to stop an opponent by (T)KO.
The only loss of Saadulaev’s career came in 2010, a second round submission loss ending an eleven fight win streak.
According to the stats listed on Sherdog.com, a drop to lightweight is probably in order as Saadulaev’s height is listed at 5’5″ which is a bit shorter than say UFC champ Georges St-Pierre, who stands at 5’10″.