Bellator MMA makes major move in western Europe, signs 24 U.K.- and Ireland-based fighters

Bellator MMA President Scott Coker had a big announcement to make this week. Let’s just cut right to the chase:

“Growing the Bellator organization throughout U.K. and Ireland has been a top priority for us for quite some time. Adding up-and-coming, as well as established, talent from the region to our roster plays a crucial role in us being able to take the next steps in this market. Our fans in the U.K. and Ireland can anticipate a much stronger Bellator presence and can look forward to seeing some of western Europe’s best MMA fighters inside the Bellator cage in the near future.”

To that end Bellator has signed 24 fighters from the United Kingdom and Ireland. Notable names include two-division BAMMA champ Terry Brazier, The Ultimate Fighter (TUF): “The Smashes” Lightweight winner Norman Parke, popular Irish lightweight Paul Redmond, undefeated SBG Ireland-trained product Kiefer Crosbie and TUF season 27-veteran Richie Smullen.

Check out the full list of recruits below:

Lightweight:

* Terry Brazier (10-1; fighting out of England)
* Pedro Carvalho (8-3; fighting out of Ireland by way of Portugal)
* Constantin Gnusariev (1-0; fighting out of Ireland by way of Moldova)
* Luka Jelcic (10-3; fighting out of Ireland by way of Croatia)
* Charlie Leary (15-9-1; fighting out of England)
* Lewis Long (16-5; fighting out of Wales)
* Norman Parke (25-6-1, 1 NC; fighting out of Northern Ireland)
* Myles Price (10-7, fighting out of Ireland)
* Paul Redmond (14-8; fighting out of Ireland)
* Daniele Scatizzi (9-4; fighting out Ireland by way of Italy)
* Sam Slater (2-0; fighting out of Ireland)
* Richie Smullen (3-1-1; fighting out of Ireland)
* Tim Wilde (12-3; fighting out of England)

Welterweight:

* Ruben Crawford (16-3; fighting out of Ireland by way of Germany)
* Kiefer Crosbie (4-0; fighting out of Ireland)
* Walter Gahadza (17-3; fighting out of England)
* Richard Kiely (2-1; fighting out of Ireland)
* Ion Pascu (18-8; fighting out of Ireland by way of Romania)
* Jim Wallhead (29-11; fighting out of England)

Featherweight:

* Dylan Logan (2-3; fighting out of Ireland)
* Nathan Rose (6-1; fighting out of England)

Middleweight:

* Claudio Conti (7-5-2; fighting out of Ireland by way of Italy)
* John Redmond (7-13; fighting out of Ireland)

Women’s Flyweight:

* Antonela Orlic – (0-0; fighting out of Ireland by way of Croatia)

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