In an unexpected move, Corey Anderson has signed for Bellator, despite still having multiple fights left on his current UFC deal.
Anderson reportedly requested a release from his UFC contract and that was granted by the promotion, which is surprising given that he was the No.4 ranked light-heavyweight contender at the time of his release.
The 30-year-old Anderson was coming off a first round KO loss in February against Jan Blachowicz, but prior to that ‘Overtime’ had been in fine form, racking up four wins in a row.
Along the way he secured a trio of decision victories over Pat Cummins, Glover Teixeira and Ilir Latifi, and put the icing on the cake with a first round TKO stoppage against Johnny Walker.
At the time that led to him being sized up as a potential future opponent for 205lb champ Jon Jones, but the loss to Blachowicz had put that on hold for the time being.
Blachowicz hasn’t yet explained his decision to leave the UFC, but he does appear to be happy to now be moving on to BEllator’s 205lb ranks, where another former UFC fighter Ryan Bader is currently the champion.
“I thank the @ufc for the smooth process of getting a release and thank @BellatorMMA for giving me a new home,” Anderson said on social media. ” Icame into the ufc with 3 official fights, grew/learned the game there, and now going to bellator a veteran of the game. LETS GO!! BIG s/o to my man @AliAbdelaziz00.”
