Bellator Inks Lightweight Prospect Tirloni to Multi-Fight Deal

Sherdog.com confirmed the news Wednesday with a source close to the situation after an initial report from MMAJunkie.com.

Tirloni, 28, has spent six years fighting as a professional, and his 13-1 record includes first-round stoppages of Brian Cobb and Anthony Morrison. A training partner of UFC lightweight Thiago Tavares at Ataque Duplo, Tirloni’s lone loss came in 2008 at the hands of former WEC champion Benson Henderson.

Since his loss to Henderson, Tirloni has won 10 straight bouts. The Brazilian owns all but two of his career victories by either knockout or submission, most recently turning out the lights on Mauro Chalet with a head kick on July 9.

Neither a date nor an opponent has been announced for Tirloni’s first Bellator appearance, but the lightweight is expected to debut with the Chicago-based promotion during its fifth season, which begins in September.