Jay Hieron Joins Bellator Welterweight Tournament

UFC and Strikeforce veteran Jay Hieron has signed an exclusive deal with Bellator Fighting Championships.

The promotion announced the signing earlier today, stating that Hieron will be featured on the fourth season’s welterweight tournament.

“Jay Hieron is a fantastic signing for us at 170lbs.,” Bellator CEO and founder Bjorn Rebney stated in the official press release. “Jay is a world-class talent with serious talent. I can’t wait to see him back on national television competing against other tough fighters where he belongs. Jay’s a spectacular edition to our upcoming season 4 welterweight tournament, where he could earn a shot against our Bellator Welterweight World Champion Ben Askren.”

Hieron seemed very unhappy during his time with Strikeforce and was constantly left out of the spotlight, even though the division was in desperate need for legitimate contenders at the 170lbs mark. Nevertheless, he still performed well, picking up victories over Jesse Taylor and Joe Riggs during his time with the promotion.

Now, Hieron enters Bellator with a seven-fight winning streak, which spans over his time in Strikeforce, Affliction, and the IFL. The welterweight sits at 19-4 over a seven year career, with losses coming against the likes of Georges St. Pierre and Jonathan Goulet. He has not lost since 2007 during his days in the IFL.

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