Ricco signs with Bellator

http://mmaweekly.com/former-ufc-champion-ricco-rodriguez-signs-with-bellator-fighting-championships

While he’s currently preparing for his bout against James McSweeney in BAMMA next week, former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez has now signed a new deal to become a part of Bellator Fighting Championships.

Rodriguez broke the news during a recorded interview for MMAWeekly Radio on Friday.



“To be honest with you, I signed the Bellator contract and just waiting to get permission from MTV. Everyone wants me to do something, but they’re just concerned with my past, if I’m going to be hard to work with. It’s a great opportunity for Bellator, I would love to fight in that competition, it’s going to be great exposure, I just think Bellator’s going to blow up on the scene,” Rodriguez said.

Currently training in England with the Wolfslair, Rodriguez has been there for just over a month working with the team and is in the closing stages for his fight against McSweeney next week in BAMMA.

After that fight is complete, Rodriguez plans to talk to Bellator to discuss his role with the promotion. At this time, Rodriguez has not been offered a slot in the upcoming light heavyweight tournament, but the promotion hasn’t filled all the available openings so he could end up in the field of 8.

“Right now I’m just focused on BAMMA, the opportunity, I put it out there I signed the contract with Bjorn (Rebney) and Bellator, and I’m just waiting for them,” Rodriguez stated.

Since dropping down to light heavyweight, Rodriguez has fueled a career rejuvenation and he hopes to continue that with the McSweeney fight and then in Bellator. If everything goes his way, Rodriguez hopes to walk away from the sport as a champion.

“This is it,” stated Rodriguez. “This is my opportunity to go out there and end my career as a champion, and I would love the opportunity to fight in that 205lb tournament.”

First things first however is the 215lb catchweight fight against James McSweeney in BAMMA next week. More information on Rodriguez’s Bellator debut should come in the following weeks.

Not a bad move for Ricco, gets him fights on TV.

GDPofDRC wrote:

Not a bad move for Ricco, gets him fights on TV.

Yeah I agree, would be great if he could get in that LHW tourney. Keep him busy.

If they could nab Vera that tourney will have instant name recognition. Not bad considering they have never(?) even held a 205 mathcup.

Bellator said they have not signed him.
http://mmajunkie.com/news/22533/bellator-boss-no-deal-with-ex-ufc-champ-ricco-rodriguez.mma

hahahah that was funny o read

Yay hes signed awesome

Bellator says they havent signed him

hahahahaa

Damn how bad does that suck when u say you are signed and the company says no u arent? LOL.

Ricco seems to make alot of comments along these lines.

I don't see why nobody is picking him up though

well what has he done of late to earn a call up? Where are his interesting wins?


And perhaps he is holding out for $$$ that orgs feel is unreasonable.

Well he doesn't have any notable wins, but is a talent fighter with history. Maybe the UFC would be tough with a ridiculously deep LHW division, but I see no reason why SF or Bellator wouldn't sign him, even if to use him as a stepping stone.

I really think the stint on Celeb Rehab ruined his career no one wants to be the ones to sign him

LA wrote:

Well he doesn't have any notable wins, but is a talent fighter with history. Maybe the UFC would be tough with a ridiculously deep LHW division, but I see no reason why SF or Bellator wouldn't sign him, even if to use him as a stepping stone.

Could he follow the Belfort route? Beat one recognizable opponent in impressive fashion, then enter a major org one fight away from a title shot?

Maybe in SF, like he beats whoever, signs with SF, gets you know Mousasi or Mo or some shit, which I doubt he would, it's possible, a new challenger would be good. But Vitor was looking so reborn, moving to MW helped, and lack of challengers for Anderson, or actually lack of ones he hadn't beaten.

if Ricco came in and beat Gegard or Mo, then he would have earned a title shot.

But he still needs to beat a solid name b4 he gets a shot at either of those guys.

I said that, but said I doubt he'd get those fights in the first place.

rubber match with Monson. Winner of that earns a mo or Gegard imo.

Maybe, Monson is still fighting at HW, Ricco has dropped, still not sure Coker gives Ricco one of the two of his best young fighters. If he did though, and Ricco won, again yes Title shot, just can't picture him getting one of those guys.

Babalu seems about right if he came into SF.

WOW, just checking through Monson's and ricco's recent opponents and both guys have recent wins over Travis Fulton, who sherdog has listed as having 245 wins.


245 fucking wins. thats crazy.

You don't know Fulton? MMA record for wins and fights I think.

Monson should be in a big Org too, if not for his lifestyle.

LA wrote:

You don't know Fulton? MMA record for wins and fights I think.

Monson should be in a big Org too, if not for his lifestyle.

I know I've made note of Fulton b4, but 245 is shocking. Even if I have seen it b4.

Yeah that record is probably untouchable, he's a classic MMA trivia question.

LA wrote:

Yeah that record is probably untouchable, he's a classic MMA trivia question.

the underground(and I expect predominantly midwest) circuit produces some very interestingly obscure careers.

Yup, think he made it to the WEC, might be wrong, but he's a good smaller show early career fight for guys. Check his resume

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Travis-Fulton-80