Bellator Signs PFL Champion Ali Isaev

Bellator may still have some way to go before it is attracting the same calibre of fighter as the UFC, but they have certainly made a step in the right direction in recent years. It emerged that they had reached an agreement to sign Ali Isaev, who could be a potential star that could carry their heavyweight division to the next level.

Bellator has been looking for a new star name to carry the company since the departure of former lightweight world champion Michael Chandler, who departed for the UFC late last year. However, Isaev could certainly be the star to carry the company based on his previous victories throughout his career.

Bellator Signs Isaev

The new of Isaev’s move to Bellator was received very warmly by fans of the company, as they are adding a huge name that has been in dominant form in the heavyweight division throughout his MMA career.

Isaev is unbeaten in all fights that he has had, having won on all nine previous occasions. Isaev has also been a big star since his days on the amateur circuit, as he wrestled at the Olympic Games back in 2008.

At the Beijing Olympics, he finished 17th overall in the super heavyweight wrestling competition, and soon turned his attentions towards a career in MMA. Representing Azerbaijan, he would later achieve success in freestyle wrestling, winning gold at the European Championships in 2009, which came a year after he won bronze at the same competition in Tampere.

Not only does Isaev’s signing mean that there is a huge new name in the heavyweight division, but it is likely to ensure more eyes from the rest of the world will be on the product moving forward.

MMA Career

Isaev didn’t move into the world of professional MMA until the middle of 2016, with all of his first four fights being competed for Fight Nights Global. However, he was very impressive in all four encounters, winning twice by knockout. His standout win came at Fight Nights Global 90, as he scored a stunning KO by spinning wheel kick and punches against Alexander Gladkov.

That would be his final fight with the promotion, as he began competing at PFL in the middle of 2019. His first fight came against Valdrin Istefi, as he won by unanimous decision in the PFL Heavyweight playoffs. Victories over Carl Seumanutafa and Kelvin Tiller saw him make it through to the semi-finals, and he later fought against Denis Goltsov in the semi-finals just hours after beating Tiller.

His landmark victory would come on New Year’s Eve in 2019, as he landed the $1 million bonus in the PFL Heavyweight Tournament, scoring a stunning fourth-round TKO victory against Jared Rosholt. That victory firmly put his name on the map in the world of MMA, and a number of the biggest promotions were reportedly interesting in making their move for the former Olympian.

When Could We See Isaev In Action?

It has been a long time since we last saw Isaev fight, as he wasn’t medically cleared to compete in both the 2021 and 2022 PFL seasons. That means that there could be a slight delay in seeing him compete in Bellator, as he will likely need some more time to get prepared for his return to action.

However, Bellator president, Scott Coker, is certainly delighted with the signing, as he revealed that the former Olympian joins a heavyweight division brimming with world-class quality and up-and-coming prospects. No date has yet been announced as to when we could expect Isaev to make his debut within the promotion, but fans will be hoping for a bout at some point early next year.

On the same day, the Bellator also renewed the contract of Tyrell Fortune, who early this  year demolished Rakim “Boogeyman” Cleveland, who is one the best Iowa fighters in the UFC ranked by ClutchBet.com.

Besides Isaev and Fortune, other fighters had their contract renewed, including Rabadanov and “Sully” Cauley.