Imada Joins Bellator Lightweight Draw

Toby Imada (right) has officially joined Bellator’s season four tournament. | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

The promotion announced Friday morning Imada's official participation in its third lightweight tournament via press release, making seven fighters now set to compete for $100,000 in total pay and a shot at Bellator lightweight king Eddie Alvarez.

An announcement verifying Marcin Held's participation in the tourney is expected shortly.

Imada, perhaps best known for his award-winning inverted triangle submission over Jorge Masvidal in the semifinals of season one, has twice made it to the finals and been turned away both times. In Bellator's inaugural tournament, Imada was choked out by Eddie Alvarez. One year later, he suffered a split decision loss to Pat Curran in the finals of season two.

“I'm a little annoyed. I have a little bit of a mean streak going on right now, a little more of a fire under my butt this time around,” said Imada in the press release. “I'm definitely going to be meaner and more aggressive. I'm ready to go out there and give it my all. I'm tired of being the guy that comes up short and doesn't live up to what people expect from him. I'm going to give it all I have this time around, believe me. I'm going to be mean.”

Imada has won 12 of his last 14 contests, competing in King of the Cage as well as the WEC. The judo black belt has 40 career bouts to his credit and has finished 17 of his 26 career victims by submission.

“Winning this tournament would be the pay off for all of the sweat and sacrifice I have been putting into this sport for years and years,” said Imada. “It would be a pay off for all of the different things that have annoyed and aggravated me in my career on my way to that point.”