With shot at Bellator glory, Cheick Kongo says no regrets from time in UFC

Cheick Kongo was expecting an “interesting” offer from the UFC once his contract was up.

“But I didn’t get it,” he told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “I got an offer, but not an offer I liked.”

And so, after nearly seven years with the UFC, the French heavyweight picked up stakes and moved on following his knockout loss to Roy Nelson at UFC 159. Earlier this week Bellator MMA officially announced that it had signed Kongo, who went 11-6-1 in the UFC, to compete in its Season 9 heavyweight tournament this September.

According to Kongo, he was intrigued by Bellator’s tournament format, as well by the chance to make his own way without concern for hype or matchmaking politics.

“For me, it’s just about competition,” Kongo said. “Right now I have the opportunity to compete like I used to do. I used to have to learn how be an entertainer, because in the UFC, if you’re not an entertainer, you don’t get the right deal. I came to the UFC as a fighter, but now I understand the business.”

Kongo also said he discussed the move with friend and training partner Quinton Jackson. “Rampage” recently signed on to fight Tito Ortiz at Bellator’s first pay-per-view event in November.

“What he said about Bellator was, it’s a good company,” Kongo said. “They treat people well.”

And that, Kongo said, was almost all he needed to hear.

Almost, because at 38, and with a clothing boutique as a side venture, it wasn’t as if he needed to keep fighting just to pay his bills. As a fighter and a businessman, Kongo said, he has two activities that “take good care” of him.

What he was most interested in, he said, was the chance to become a champion by working his way through the Bellator heavyweight tournament.

“I got the possibility to fight for the belt,” Kongo said. “That’s the reason I’m here now.”

That, plus the lack of an “interesting” offer from the UFC, explains his departure. But it doesn’t mean he’s leaving with a bad taste in his mouth, Kongo said. Far from it.

“I have no regrets,” said Kongo. “I spent a really good time in the UFC. I respect the UFC for giving me the opportunity. No regrets, and also the door is not closed. It’s a new step for me to improve myself. It was made to make myself stronger and to try and reach a new goal.”

For more on Bellator’s upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.