It looks like "The Thoroughbred" is ready to get back in the race.
Former IFL standout and season four Bellator welterweight tournament winner Jay Hieron was not happy with the Chicago-based promotion. After earning his title shot against Ben Askren and coming up just short in a hard-fought split decision at Bellator 56 this past fall, the Xtreme Couture fighter wanted an immediate rematch as he believed he'd won the fight.
When the rematch wasn't granted, Hieron obviously wasn't pleased. That would explain why he wasn't a participant in this season's current welterweight tournament.
After some speculation that he was going to be fighting elsewhere, Hieron took to Twitter yesterday to announce he had finally been released from his Bellator contract.
Early reports suggest that the former junior college national champion wrestler has already verbally agreed to fight for Texas-based promotion Legacy Fighting Championship.
Hieron is expected to make his debut at Legacy FC 12 on July 13 against an opponent that is yet to be determined.
The 35 year old had a controversial run in Bellator, earning a technical submission over Anthony Lapsley when the referee mistakenly thought the former King of the Cage champion was choked unconscious and Hieron then followed it up with back-to-back hotly disputed decision victories over the likes of Brent Weedman and Rick Hawn to win the season four tournament.
He actually forced Bellator welterweight champion and former Olympic wrestler Ben Askren to stand with him for a significant portion of their fight, but was unable to capitalize.
Hieron is hoping a fresh start with a new promotion (his fifth promotion in the past four years) will be just what the doctor ordered.
Do you feel "The Thoroughbred" can still make a run?
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