Roy Nelson to Bellator

[dacofty]

“Big Country” is off to Bellator.

Roy Nelson (22-14) has signed an exclusive, multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA, MMA Fighting has confirmed with multiple sources. The promotion is expected to officially announce the signing in the coming days.


Nelson’s UFC contract expired following his unanimous decision loss to Alexander Volkov in April. While his Bellator debut has yet to be finalized, the early plan is for him to fight in the fall.

The 13-year-veteran debuted with the UFC in 2009 after winning the tenth season of “The Ultimate Fighter.” He leaves the promotion with a 9-9 record inside the Octagon. His most notable wins came against Stefan Struve, Mirko Cro Cop, Matt Mitrione, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Antonio Silva, and of course, his “TUF” exhibition win over Kimbo Slice, which remains the most-watched fight in the history of the reality series.

Nelson, 40, butted heads with UFC president Dana White from the beginning of his UFC run but remained a fan favorite throughout and was always featured in big fights.


He becomes the latest familiar UFC face to sign with Bellator. He joins the likes of Phil Davis, Matt Mitrione, Benson Henderson, and Rory MacDonald, among others, who recently made the jump.

Roy Nelson signs with Bellator

 

[GSPTrainingInAPool]

NOt shocked. I doubt he got what he really wanted in a contract FROM Bellator but it's probably more than the ufc offered

 

[Hong Kong Phooey]

Good

 

[La Paix]

I like it! Roy should be a good fit there. I hope to see some more bombs from him before he's done.

 

[SlapheadGiraffe]

Interesting. Like it

 

[MMAHAWK]

Tuf 10 fight
Roy vs Justin Wren sounds good to me

Big country vs Big pygmy

 

[Jdog93]

Great! I'm sure his experience and the fact that he can still throw heat will make for some interesting matchups in Bellator.

I wanna see him Rub his Belly a few more times before he hangs it up.

 

[TheEmperorRises]

Or maybe Big Country vs Bobby Lashley. Let Roy put an end to his MMA career.

 

[Mix6APlix]

I like this. Hopefully Bellator has a big enough belt.

 

[Wild]

Good deal for everyone involved. He'll get promoted and treated well over there.

 

[dacofty]

I agree this is a great deal for Bellator, they are chipping down the jail cell little by little...Only a matter of time

 

[teamquestnorth]

In before Fedor terminates his contract with Bellator and runs back to Rizin to face Yao Ming

 

[Chromium]

Didn't even know his contract was up. Kind of fucked that the UFC couldn't come to terms, he's still a name, still an entertaining HW, and still credible, even if he's not top 10 anymore. Even if Roy himself isn't going to sell out arenas, he still adds to any given card, and it's hard to build new names if they only beat unknown cans, which is where gatekeepers like Nelson are especially valuable.

Nice pick-up by Bellator. The UFC just keeps bleeding talent.

 

[Clappin'Daddys]

Not setting the world in fire, but this is a decent signings.

Bellator needs to keep signing those with names so that they could fill cards out more nicely.

Even if they aren't tv products. If they could draw local crowds, Bellator could use them. I mean they did just sign that woman's boxing champ heather hardy. Heard that she is loved and respected in the New York area.

Again though, another decent name Bellator has signed.

 

[Combo]

Good for both organisations.

He's not and never will be top UFC level, and Bellator have got someone who can potentially provide them with highlight reel stoppages.

Never been a fan of him myself. Just a lazy fighter who reminds me of a modern Tank Abbott.

 

[Juanandonly]

I like this. Hopefully Bellator has a big enough belt.

How many cows would have to lose their life to make a belt for Roy? I'm going to do some sports science and get back to everyone shortly

 

[mysticmac]

Good move for all involved. Roy has enough of a name that he can make money elsewhere, and the UFC isn't going to invest in a 40 year old fighter with a shaky record (9-10) in the UFC. It is a name for Bellator to pickup, and Roy can make up some money through sponsors.

 

[mysticmac]

How many cows would have to lose their life to make a belt for Roy? I'm going to do some sports science and get back to everyone shortly

One. Your mom.

 

[Venum Shill]

A lot of good fights for Roy in Bellator

Hopefully he's allowed to fight in Rizin too

 

[BJJMMA]

This is good for both parties. Hope Big Country finds more success than ever in Bellator. He has seems more motivated on social media recently. Training hard.

 

[The Big Guy]

Coker promised him a xxxxxl belt

 

[Howard Moon]

Big congratulations to Big Roy!

I hope the move makes him happy and he doesn''t turn into another Waa-mpage, bitching wherever he goes.

 

[Howard Moon]

The 13-year-veteran debuted with the UFC in 2009 after winning the tenth season of “The Ultimate Fighter.” He leaves the promotion with a 9-9 record inside the Octagon. His most notable wins came against Stefan Struve, Mirko Cro Cop, Matt Mitrione, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Antonio Silva, and of course, his “TUF” exhibition win over Kimbo Slice, which remains the most-watched fight in the history of the reality series.

From the article as of 16:39mdt:

"The 13-year veteran debuted with the UFC in 2009 after winning the tenth season of “The Ultimate Fighter.” He leaves the promotion with a 9-10 record inside the Octagon. His most notable wins came against Stefan Struve, Mirko Cro Cop, Matt Mitrione, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Antonio Silva, and of course, his “TUF” exhibition win over Kimbo Slice, which remains the most-watched fight in the history of the reality series."

Somebody has done some editing and I'm too lazy to look up which is correct.

 

[La Paix]

From the article as of 16:39mdt:

"The 13-year veteran debuted with the UFC in 2009 after winning the tenth season of “The Ultimate Fighter.” He leaves the promotion with a 9-10 record inside the Octagon. His most notable wins came against Stefan Struve, Mirko Cro Cop, Matt Mitrione, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Antonio Silva, and of course, his “TUF” exhibition win over Kimbo Slice, which remains the most-watched fight in the history of the reality series."

Somebody has done some editing and I'm too lazy to look up which is correct.

I think he's actually 8-10 in the UFC.

 

[BrunoMcGyver]

Hopefully they put him against some cans who can't block a punch.

I love the whole Roy Nelson persona and everything, but I can no longer stand watching a guy wing right hands for 15 minutes while he gets out manouvered and out pointed