Brett Rogers signs with Bellator, debuts at Bellator 71

http://mmajunkie.com/news/29058/heavyweight-brett-rogers-signs-with-bellator-debuts-at-bellator-71-1.mma
Former Strikeforce heavyweight Brett Rogers (11-4 MMA, 0-0 BFC) has signed with Bellator and will make his promotional debut later this month at Bellator 71.

Bellator officials today announced the signing, though an opponent wasn't disclosed.

Rogers is stuck in a 1-4 skid and has fought just once since September, due in part to his arrest stemming from a domestic dispute. However, he said those issues are now behind him.

Rogers ultimately was sentenced to 60 days in jail after he pleaded guilty to a single count of felony third-degree assault following a September incident with his wife and kid.

Bellator 72, which kicks off the organization's three-event "Summer Series," takes place June 22 at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort in Chester, W.V. The night's main card airs on MTV2, and Spike.com carries the prelims. It's not clear where Rogers will end up on the lineup.

"I am incredibly thankful to Bjorn Rebney and Bellator for giving me and my family this opportunity," Rogers stated. "I feel that I am still one of the top heavyweights in the sport, and now I have the opportunity to prove it with Bellator. I love the tournament format as it will give me the chance to regain my top position, of course with a lot hard work."

Rogers, who opened his career with a 9-0 record, was immediately released from Strikeforce upon his arrest. In September, he lost a split decision to Bellator and UFC vet Eddie Sanchez at Titan Fighting Championships 20. He is 1-4 in his past five outings, though three of his losses have come against top-tier heavyweights Alistair Overeem, Fedor Emelianenko and Josh Barnett. Most recently, he fought Todd Allee to a no-contest (due to Rogers' accidental strikes to the back of the head) in February.

"Over the past year I have been challenged in my personal life, but all is now good in the Rogers family," Rogers stated. "Everyone makes mistakes in life, but it's how you recover that really counts. I spend every day with my wife and kids and enjoy every minute of it. Fighting is my job, and I love it, but I also love my family, and that's why I made things right before returning to the cage. All I can say is get ready for a new and improved Brett Rogers."

Hope he fights Sparkxxxxx

They will probably get a fight in July and look to get him in the Fall season, at least I expect they will have 8 HWs for season 7.

I could see them giving him Sparks or Dave Huckaba. Maybe even as a tourney entry fight, but I imagine he would be in it regardless.

I'd say these guys are viable options in Bellator:

Damian Grabowski
Eric Prindle
Mark Holata
Ron Sparks
Brett Rogers
Tony Johnson Jr.
Azunna Anyanwu

These guys are outside options:
DJ Linderman
Eddie Sanchez
Mike Hayes
Dion Staring
Carmelo Marrero
Abe Wagner

The Abe-Holata fight was a tourney eliminator so you can rule out Abe. I think Linderman would prefer to fight at LHW if he was to go back to Bellator.

Any chance Todd Duffee signs with belator? If I remember correctly his contract with the Supa league lets him fight outside their org. Duffee vs Rogers?

They would not book that fight, but rather have them both fighting in the tournament.

Damn. Would have been cool. Both have been inactive for a while now.

Anyways if no Duffee, Im with OU, make it ms. new booty instead.

I seen this signing by Bellator has been getting a lot of backlash today. People don't like that he beat his wife and also claim he is not good enough, claim it is mistake to put him on a nation telecast because of it. I disagree. He lost 4 out of 5, sure, but three of those were to top 10 elite HWs and the other was to a guy who is really at Brett's level imo. So I think given the range of talent in Bellator's HW division, he fits right in. Makes sense. Obviously beating your wife in front of your kids is no good, but he plead guilty and met the legal requirements of the process. People do stupid shit that is illegal, can't right off everyone who does. So again, I'm not complaining. Now do I root for the guy, naw, not really. But this is a good signing for that organization.

I thought he was locked up for beating womenz.

I read his first bout will be against 15-1 prospect Kevin Asplund out of Minnesota.

Farmer1906 wrote:

I thought he was locked up for beating womenz.

He was cleared of charges after evidence of dirty dishes and a full laundry basket of unwashed clothes surfaced.

KingsOwn19 wrote:

Farmer1906 wrote:

I thought he was locked up for beating womenz.

He was cleared of charges after evidence of dirty dishes and a full laundry basket of unwashed clothes surfaced.

Also 1 failure to deliver a sammich.

KingsOwn19 wrote:

I read his first bout will be against 15-1 prospect Kevin Asplund out of Minnesota.

http://mmajunkie.com/news/29186/lineup-for-summer-series-bellator-71-event-official-brett-rogers-gets-opponent.mma
The main card features Rogers in a heavyweight fight against Kevin Asplund (15-1), a fight now official after Rogers signed with the promotion last week.

Hope Rogers has gotten in with a good camp. Doesn't sound like his first opponent is pushover.

Also hope he doesn't flake on his new commitment to family.