Bellator Announces Signing of Sengoku Vet Ronnie Mann

Thursday, February 17, 2011

By FCF Staff, photo courtesy Bellator FC

Bellator FC has announced that it has signed Sengoku vet and Shark Fights Featherweight Champion Ronnie Mann to a contract. The 24 year-old Brit will make his promotional debut during Bellator’s upcoming fourth season; however, he will not compete in the featherweight tournament. No other details regarding Mann’s contract were announced.

“Ronnie Mann is a great talent at 145.  We’ve been putting this alliance together for months and we’re very pleased that we Ronnie will be fighting at Bellator on MTV2” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney in a press release from the promotion. “Ronnie is at the top of his game right now and he will have impact on our deep featherweight division.”

Mann (18-2-1) will head into Bellator having gone 8-2 in his last ten fights, a run which includes wins over Shigeki Osawa and most recently Douglas Evans. The Cage Gladiator vet’s only career losses to date came against Robbie Olivier and current Sengoku Featherweight Champion, Hatsu Hioki.

“Signing with Bellator is like a dream come true for me. I am more than excited for the opportunity to show fans what I'm capable of here in the United States,” said Mann. “Even more exciting than that is the fact that I'll be getting to show what I'm capable of against some of the best fighters in the world, which Bellator provides. Honestly, I can't wait to put my skills on display. 2011 is my time to shine.”

“Trying to capture the Bellator World Featherweight Championship is absolutely my main goal. I don't care how long it takes, that's what I'm here to do,” said Mann.

Bellator’s fourth season is set to begin in March and will be broadcast live on MTV 2.