Bellator signs UFC veteran Alessio Sakara to fight in Torino, Italy, on April 16

Bellator dropped a bombshell recently, announcing that the mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion has for the first time ever booked three international events for 2016.

And it certainly helps to have native, well-known fighters in tow when traveling abroad.

So when Bellator MMA hits hits Pala Alpitour in Torino, Italy, on April 16, 2016 -- which was made possible thanks to an agreement with Oktagon Kickboxing President Carlo Di Blasi -- it plans to bring in 15-fight Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran, Alessio Sakara.

Bellator signs ex-UFC middleweight Alessio Sakara https://t.co/Z25FeXsOvy pic.twitter.com/a5q0f6BJEY

— theScore MMA (@theScoreMMA) November 27, 2015

Sakara (17-11, 2 NC MMA / 8-1 Boxing) will fight an opponent to be determined at a later date. "Legionarious" has traditionally competed at Middleweight, but his last fight in September was a first round technical knockout victory over Dib Akil in Linz, Austria, as a Light Heavyweight.

Company president, Scott Coker, spoke about the Italian connenction at a press conference in Paris:

"We are very excited to be working side by side with my friend Carlo Di Blasi and his team. Carlo is a great ally, and someone who I admire for all of the amazing work he has done in combat sports throughout Europe over the past twenty years. We look forward to putting on an amazing show for the Italian people, and fans tuning in from around the world when we combine our efforts on April 16 in Torino."

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