D.J. Linderman Added To Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament

D.J. Linderman

D.J. Linderman - photo courtesy of Bellator

Bellator Season 4 Light Heavyweight Tournament is taking shape.

Bellator Fighting Championships today confirmed the addition of former heavyweight D.J. “Da Protégé” Linderman to its upcoming Light Heavyweight Tournament.

The California native has an 8-1 professional record and employs a brutal ground-and-pound style.

“D.J. should bring great power with him when he makes the cut to 205 lbs. for the first time in our Light Heavyweight Tournament on MTV2,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “He had a very aggressive style at Heavyweight, so at 205, he could be a force in this tournament.”

Linderman has fought as high as 261 pounds, but made the weight cut in order to enter the upcoming tournament.

“I want to improve my game all around,” said Linderman. “I want to improve my cardio, my strength and my quickness. Being a heavyweight that’s dropping down to light heavyweight has its advantages. I feel like I will be better than ever at light heavyweight.”

“Da Protégé” has never competed in a tournament before, but is ready for the challenge.

“I’ve never competed in a tournament like this before, so I’m really excited to take part in this one with Bellator,” Linderman said. “I know this tournament will have a bunch of great fighters, and they’re going to try to put everything they have out there, and so will I. I’m looking to make a name for myself to the millions of fans that will be watching on MTV2.”

Linderman joins Daniel Gracie, Nik “The Machete” Fekete, and Chris Davis as confirmed participants in the upcoming Season 4 Light Heavyweight Tournament.

The Bellator Season 4 Light Heavyweight Tournament begins in March and will air live on MTV2.

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