(photo via Esther Lin @AllElbows.com)
Sengoku has released another highly touted fighter from contract in featherweight Ronnie Mann (18-2-1). Mann, who had one fight left on his Sengoku Raiden Championship contract, was looking to be released in order to fight in North America, now he’s gotten his wish and will fight for Bellator Fighting Championships.
MMAFighting.com reported Wednesday night that Mann had been released by Sengoku and had then subsequently signed an exclusive contract with Bellator according to the promotions CEO Bjorn Rebney.
Mann has already taken one fight out of Japan at last falls September Shark Fights 13 event by defeating Doug Evans via split decision to become the Shark Fights featherweight champion. The bout was his first in North America.
The victory was his second in a row and put his record at 7-1 in his last eight fights. The English fighter fought three times for Sengoku going 2-1, all bouts took place in 2009 with him losing in the second round of the Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix to Hatsu Hioki.
No date was given for Mann’s Bellator debut, nor was an opponent named.