Bellator inks Vladimir Matyushenko, debut will be non-tournament bout

Veteran light heavyweight Vladimir Matyushenko has signed with Bellator MMA, officials today announced.

The 42-year-old UFC vet and former IFL champion will compete at an upcoming event in a non-tournament bout, according to today’s announcement.

Bellator is expected to host four-man tournaments this summer in the bantamweight, light-heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. However, it appears Matyushenko won’t be part of his division’s summer tourney.

Matyushenko (26-7 MMA, 0-0 BFC) heads to Bellator after a seven-fight stint with the UFC, where he went 4-3. Although he scored knockout wins over the likes of Jason Brilz and Alexandre Ferreira, “The Janitor” received his pink slip following back-to-back stoppage losses to contenders Alexander Gustafsson and Ryan Bader.

“Vladimir is a fighter I’ve watched for years,” Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney stated. “He’s an exciting fighter with an incredible wrestling background and a great pedigree in our sport. When the opportunity presented itself and we had the chance to have him join the Bellator family, it was a very easy decision to make.

“With our Champion Attila Vegh sitting at the top of the mountain right now, and with guys like Emanuel Newton, Mikhail Zayats and ‘King’ Mo (Lawal) coming on strong, the light heavyweight division for Bellator continues to evolve, and Vladimir should fit in perfectly to that mix.”

After his first UFC stint ended in 2003, which included a title loss to Tito Ortiz, Matyushenko posted a 9-1 record to earn his way back to the promotion in 2009. His notable career wins have come over the likes of Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Tim Boetsch, Pedro Rizzo and Travis Wiuff.

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