Sokoudjou, Tom DeBlass among recent Bellator long-term roster additions

Bellator MMA continues to bolster its roster, which now has in excess of 180 fighters, and this past week it added several more key names to the promotion’s lineup.

Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (14-12 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), Tom DeBlass (9-2 MMA, 2-0 BMMA), Malik Merad (19-11 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), Dmitriy Sosnovskiy (8-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) and Steve Garcia (3-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) have signed deals with the company, Bellator announced. Sokoudjou will make his promotional debut next month at Bellator 121, the first event of its 2014 “Summer Series,” against Terry Davinney (10-6 MMA, 1-0 BMMA).

A select few fighters in MMA history can claim one-name recognition, but Sokoudjou is one of those fighters. “The African Assassin” has fought all over the world, and has fought for the UFC, WEC, PRIDE, Strikeforce and Affliction, among many others. He’s also been in the cage with the likes of Lyoto Machida, Gegard Mousasi, Glover Teixeira, and has a 23-second knockout win over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in PRIDE. His most recent two fights, however, were TKO setbacks in Russia this past year.

“I’m very excited to be joining the Bellator family,” Sokoudjou stated. “They have some of the best fighters in the world fighting in their cage, and it’s something I want to be a part of. Bellator always has exciting fights for the fans, and it’s something I’m going to continue for Bellator in every one of my fights.”

DeBlass started his career unbeaten at 7-0 and signed with the UFC. But he went a disappointing 0-2 there with decision losses and abruptly announced his retirement. The UFC released him, but his retirement was short-lived. He signed with Bellator, where he had back-to-back knockout wins in 2013. Now he has a new long-term deal to go along with those wins.

“I really feel at home here at Bellator and I appreciate what the promotion is doing,” DeBlass stated. “I love fighting, and I have never felt better during my career. I have a great relationship with Bellator. They take care of me, and now with this new deal, it’s time for me to show them I’m one of the best fighters on the roster.”

Merad, from France, brings a six-fight winning streak to Bellator with six finishes. All told, 17 of the 6-foot-7 light heavyweight’s 19 career wins are by stoppage.

Sosnovskiy, a heavyweight, comes to Bellator fresh from a first-round knockout of Aleksander Emelianenko in January. The unbeaten heavyweight joins the likes of Vitaly Minakov and Alexander Volkov as Russians in Bellator’s heavyweight division. Six of his eight career wins are by stoppage.

Garcia, from New Mexico, impressed the promotion when he stopped Shawn Bunch at Bellator 105 this past October. Now the bantamweight will look to build on that impressive win with a long-term deal. He’s expected to meet Cody Walker at Bellator 121 next month.

“I’ve said it before, our scouting and talent development team is the best in the business,” Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney stated. “With another great season in the books, they are back 100 percent focused on signing exciting, explosive fighters from every corner of the globe. I’m very excited about a rash of our recent signings, and we’ll be making many more announcements over the summer months”

For more on Bellator 121, as well as other upcoming Bellator cards, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Tom DeBlass)