Bellator Fighting Championships has announced that it has added former King of the Cage Heavyweight Champion Tony Johnson Jr. to its roster. The 5-1 fighter will make his promotional debut at Bellator 41, April 16th, in Yuma, Arizona, against Carlos Flores (4-0).
“Tony is a fighter we have had our eye on for quite some time,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney in the announcement. “He’s one of the top heavyweight prospects in the world right now, and will make a great addition to our already impressive heavyweight lineup.”
Johnson Jr. hasn’t fought since November, when the former collegiate wrestler scored a unanimous decision win over Bobby Simic at KOTC’s “Infusion” event.
“I definitely want to be a part of the next Bellator Heavyweight Tournament,” said Johnson. “I think it would be a great opportunity for me. It would mean everything to me to become the next Bellator Heavyweight Champion,”
“I can only improve,” Johnson added. “I plan on getting better and better every time I enter that cage. I feel in my heart like I'm able to compete with the best heavyweights out there, and now it's time for me to prove it. I'm ready for it. I'm ready to take that next challenge.”
Flores is also coming off a win while competing for KOTC; in December he tapped out Jason Walraven with a first round, Kimura.
Bellator 41 will be broadcast live on MTV 2.
