12-fight UFC veteran Sam Sicilia latest to sign multi-fight Bellator contract

Sam Sicilia is the latest free-agent fighter to move over to Bellator from the UFC.

Sicilia (15-8 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), who completed his UFC contract with a unanimous-decision loss to Gavin Tucker at UFC Fight Night 105 in February, has signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator to compete in the featherweight division, a Bellator official today told MMAjunkie.

After getting signed to the UFC following a stint on Season 15 of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series, Sicilia went on to compete 12 times in the UFC featherweight division. He went 5-7 in his dozen octagon appearances and earned three wins by knockout.

Sicilia, who trains out of the Sikjitsu gym in Spokane, Wash., told MMAjunkie he plans to make his Bellator debut in the coming months. Although he’s spent the past five-plus years in the world’s leading MMA organization, Sicilia said he only views the change of scenery as a positive.

“It’s really not a step backwards,” Sicilia said. “It’s a different company, but you still get a shot at beating the big guys and being in the big fights. A lot of guys are moving there. It just feels like a good fit to be around. It’s still the big fight. That’s the biggest thing for me: It’s still on the big stage.”

Sicilia’s UFC career ended with three consecutive losses. He hasn’t won a fight since July 2015 but said he feels he’s currently in his prime. The heavy-handed striker intends on showing the full extent of his skill set under the Bellator banner.

“I’ve just been staying in the gym, and I really feel like now I’m ready to compete at the highest level,” Sicilia said. “I won’t be a guy that just simply exists in Bellator and go back to the win-lose-win-lose. I’m ready now to put it all together and get this winning streak going.”

For more on the upcoming Bellator schedule, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.