Bellator MMA Swoops in and Signs UFC Vet Matt Riddle Away From Legacy FC

Ultimate Fighter Season 7 alumnus Matt Riddle was recently released by the UFC, but immediately signed to fight for Legacy Fighting Championships.

Before he ever saw any action for Legacy, however, Bellator MMA swooped in and signed him away. MMAWeekly.com sources confirmed the deal, which was initially reported by Inside MMA.

Riddle was initially expected to fight at Legacy FC 21 in July, but Bellator apparently made Legacy FC an offer they couldn’t refuse.

“It just made sense,” Legacy FC president Mick Maynard told MMAWeekly.com on Saturday.

Before being released by the UFC, Riddle had spent his entire professional career in the Octagon.

Riddle made his way to the Octagon via season seven of The Ultimate Fighter reality series, fighting 12 times there. His record, however, stands at 7-3 due to two of his bouts being ruled no contests after Riddle tested positive for marijuana metabolites following both of them.

His most recent fight was initially a split decision victory over Che Mills at UFC on Fuel TV 7. Following his positive drug test results after that bout, it was changed to a no contest and Riddle was released from his UFC contract.

Bellator MMA has not yet confirmed the signing or revealed any details of when Riddle is expected to make his promotional debut.