The competition is getting to be something fierce in the Bellator featherweight division, as former Greco-Roman World Champion wrestler Joe Warren became the latest major signing for the upstart promotion.
Warren Latest Bellator Signing
Warren is the fifth announced fighter and probably the most recognizable name in the field. A former Michigan University wrestling standout, Warren continued his wrestling career on the international level in the Greco-Roman style, winning the 2006 FILA World Championship, which established him as the favorite for gold in the 2008 Olympics. Warren’s path to gold was interrupted by a positive test for THC, found commonly in marijuana, and received a two-year ban from competition.
Officially making the transition to MMA in 2008, Warren (2-1) joined Team Quest to train alongside fellow Greco-Roman wrestler and MMA star Dan Henderson. Warren didn’t take long making a name for himself, knocking off former WEC champ Chase Beebe in his first professional fight and following that with a stunning upset of Japanese MMA star Kid Yamamota in his second bout. Warren’s run at Dream 11 would come to an end in the semifinals against eventual Dream champion Bibiano Fernandes.
“We are very excited about this signing and being the MMA organization that brought Joe back to the states,” said Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “Joe has the ability, drive, confidence and personality to become a star in our sport. His first two wins would make a good career for most fighters and as his stand-up continues developing, the sky is the limit for Joe Warren.”
Warren enters a stacked featherweight division that includes Patricio Friere (12-0), Georgi Karakhaynan (12-1-1), William Romero (5-0) and Bao Quach (17-9-1). The winner is guaranteed a shot at current Bellator champion Joe Soto (8-0).
“I competed for the USA for 10 years and I bleed red, white and blue,” Warren said. “So I’m ready to come back to this country, make my U.S. debut and fight in front of the American MMA fans. I love everything that Bellator is doing and I’m just honored to be a part of their organization.”
Season 2 for the Bellator Fighting Championships kicks off April 8th at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, FL. Tournaments will be featured in the featherweight, lightweight, welterweight and middleweight division. All Bellator fights will be aired live on Fox Sports Net each week, with replay highlight shows on NBC and Telemundo on Saturday nights.
