CHICAGO, Ill. (August 1, 2011) - Bellator Fighting Championships confirmed today the signing of top Brazilian lightweight prospect Ricardo Tirloni. Tirloni joins a lightweight division that already features the likes of Season 4 Lightweight Tournament winner Michael Chandler, Patricky Pitbull, Rene Nazare, Marcin Held and Bellator Lightweight World Champion Eddie Alvarez.

Tirloni joins Bellator after compiling an impressive 13-1 record, with notable wins coming over UFC veteran Brian Cobb and WEC veteran Anthony Morrison. Out of his thirteen professional victories, Tirloni has picked up eleven finishes, with six submissions and five knockouts to his credit.

A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with knockout power, Tirloni currently trains alongside Bellator featherweight Nazareno Malegarie under the watchful eye of UFC veteran Thiago Tavares at Team Ataque Duplo in Brazil. Tirloni comes to Bellator currently riding an impressive 10-fight win streak.

Armed with an impressive grappling game that compliments his powerful strikes, Tirloni will only add to an already loaded lightweight class.

"Our objective is to sign the most talented fighters possible from every corner of the globe and Ricardo Tirloni certainly fits that bill," said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney. "Our lightweight division is turning into one of our deepest weight classes, and Ricardo should have great impact on that already stacked division."

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Bellator