Release from Bellator MMA:
Bellator MMA has announced the signing of Stephan Bonnar and Annalisa Bucci
Fighting in front of millions on Spike TV against the likes of James Irvin, Keith Jardine, Rashad Evans and an iconic showdown with Forrest Griffin, Bonnar (15-8) has established himself as one of the biggest personalities in the sport during his nearly fifteen year professional career. Last competing in 2012 against Anderson Silva, Bonnar is eager to get back to work, and has a good idea about who his first opponent should be inside the Bellator cage.
“I want everyone to know I’m coming out of retirement because it’s time to free the MMA world of the virus that’s known as Tito Ortiz,” Bonnar said. “We’ve been suffering through his boring fights for too many years, and it’s about time that someone beats it out of him once and for all.”
“Stephan is a guy that has been a huge part of this sport and we are excited have him part of the roster,” Bellator President Scott Coker said. “He was one half of probably the greatest and one of the most important fights in MMA history, and it happened on Spike. When you look at our Light Heavyweight division, with names like Rampage, Tito, King Mo, Emanuel Newton and others, there are a lot of fights Stephan can be involved in. Big fights against big names. After talking to Stephan, I know that’s what he wants, and we want to provide that to our fans.”
Bonnar will also be involved in various components relating to Bellator, including the possibility of on-air commentating and analysis. Bonnar is expected to compete this year live on Spike TV.
Bellator also added Bucci, who is the the #6 ranked featherweight in the world and a native of Italy. Bucci (7-3) will compete in the United States for the first time in her career.
“I feel extremely honored, excited and thankful to be part of the first group of females, fighting for Scott Coker in the new Bellator MMA Women’s Division,” Bucci said. “I cannot find the right words to truly express how I feel. This is more than a payoff for years of hard work, love and dedication to this sport. This is a dream come true!”
With the signing, Bellator now has a collection of four of the best featherweights in the sport, as Bucci joins the #2 ranked Marloes Coenen, #3 ranked Julia Budd, and #8 ranked Talita Nogueira.
The Sports Inquirer 
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