Welterweight Free Agent Ben Saunders Parts Ways with Bellator on Amicable Terms

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Ben Saunders is no longer a Bellator welterweight.

“Killa B” recently tweeted news of his release from the Viacom-owned promotion, and Sherdog.com verified the development with a Bellator official on Tuesday. A three-time tournament veteran and a two-time finalist, Saunders may now test the waters of free agency without restriction.

“I want to thank [Bellator CEO] Bjorn Rebney for letting me go,” Saunders wrote. “I fulfilled my contract, and I wanted to be a free agent again. The future is bright!”

Saunders signed with Bellator in 2011 following a seven-fight stint with the UFC and fought his way to the Season 5 tournament final, where he was knocked out by Douglas Lima. The lanky welterweight would reappear in the Season 6 draw but once again came up short, this time falling in the semifinals to Bryan Baker.

“Killa B” made a final tourney run in the Season 8 draw, advancing to the final to face Lima, who once again knocked out Saunders to end his Bellator run this past September in a delayed rematch. The 30-year-old now departs the organization with a promotional record of 7-3, scoring four of those victories by knockout.