Bellator has snapped up another former Rizin fighter. Lightweight Grand Prix winner Tofiq Musaev has signed for the American promotion according to Ariel Helwani.
He broke the news last night:
Tofiq Musayev, the former RIZIN tournament champion who at one point had won 14 straight, has signed with Bellator, per sources. He is 18-4 and from Azerbaijan.
He’ll compete in their 155 division. Debut TBD.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 10, 2022
Musaev has a record of 18-4 and was one of the most sought after properties in Asian MMA after winning the Rizin lightweight Grand Prix in 2019. He did not fight at all the following year but returned for a title shot last June.
The 32 year old saw his 16 fight winning streak snapped by Roberto de Souza at Rizin 28. With travel restrictions currently preventing foreigners from entering Japan there was no prospect of him fighting for the promotion again soon.
Musaev shouldn’t have any issues getting into the US. He holds a win over Bellator lightweight champion Patricky Freire, the faced off in the final of the lightweight Grand Prix at Rizin 20.
After getting in just one fight in the last two years, which he lost, Musaev will be looking to compete regularly and show why he was regarded as one of the best lightweights in the world.
