Azunna Anyanwu Signs with Bellator, Matchup vs. Timothy Johnson Targeted for Aug. 24

One-time Ultimate Fighting Championship competitor Azunna Anyanwu has signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA and will likely face Timothy Johnson on short notice on Aug. 24.

Sherdog.com confirmed the signing with a source close to the situation following an initial report from MyMMANews.com. The heavyweight bout vs. Johnson, while not finalized, has been targeted for Bellator 225. Johnson was initially slated to face Valentin Moldavsky at the event.

If all goes as expected, Anyanwu vs. Johnson will take place on the prelims, while a flyweight contest pitting former title challenger Alejandra Lara against Taylor Turner has been relocated to the main card. Bellator 225 takes place at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., and is headlined by a heavyweight rematch between Matt Mitrione and Sergei Kharitonov.

Anyanwu earned a UFC contract with a second-round knockout of Greg Rebello on the debut episode of Dana White’s Contender Series. He dropped a split decision to Justin Ledet in his first promotional appearance at UFC Fight Night 116 and was released after an anti-doping violation. “Zu the 8th Wonder” has won seven of his last eight pro bouts.

Johnson, a seven-time UFC veteran, is coming off a 68-second knockout loss to Cheick Kongo at Bellator 208 this past October.