Canadian Welterweight Ford Inks Bellator Deal, Debuts in October

Ryan Ford (16-3) announced Tuesday via Facebook that he will make his Bellator debut on an as-yet-unannounced October card at Casino Rama in Rama, Ontario. The fight is expected to serve as a qualifier for the promotion’s sixth-season welterweight tournament, which will begin in January 2012, according to Ford.

Multiple sources have since confirmed Ford’s signing, though it has yet to be formally announced by Bellator.

Ford, 29, began and has fought the majority of his career in Canada’s Maximum Fighting Championship, compiling a 7-3 record with the organization before departing for the second time in late-2009. During that time, the Edmonton, Alberta, native most notably recorded a pair of submission wins over Pete Spratt, while twice losing to Pat Healy and once to current MFC welterweight champ Douglas Lima.

In May, Ford recorded his biggest win to date, forcing a third-round doctor stoppage against UFC vet Karo Parisyan. The “Real Deal” last saw action on June 10, when he punched out Nick Hinchliffe at an Aggression MMA event in Edmonton. The win earned Ford a Sept. 16 chance at the vacant Aggression welterweight title. According to Aggression MMA public relations representative Phil Lanides, Ford will still compete for the promotion's title in September.

Before January’s bracket, Bellator will launch another welterweight tournament when its fifth season kicks off in September. Confirmed to compete for $100,000 and a shot at welterweight champ Ben Askren are Lima, Dan Hornbuckle, Rick Hawn, Ben Saunders, Luis Santos, Brent Weedman, Chris Lozano and Steve Carl.