Bellator MMA Signs Pancrase Welterweight Champ Masayuki Kikuiri

Bellator MMA has bolstered its roster with the signing of King of Pancrase welterweight champion Masayuki Kikuiri.

The promotion announced Tuesday that it has inked Kikuiri to an exclusive multi-fight, multi-year contract. A date for Kikuiri’s Bellator debut is currently unclear.

“I’m very grateful to (Bellator president) Mr. Scott Coker for this opportunity and everyone involved in making this happen. I promise I’m coming for finishes and will be a Bellator fighter that’ll make Japan proud,” Kikuiri said in a release.


 
“I’ve fought only for Pancrase from my MMA debut and every fight until becoming champion. I’m grateful to Pancrase for helping me grow and kindly sending me out to fight under the Pancrase banner. I’ll be sure to proudly show the strength of the long line of King of Pancrase Champions to the world.”

Kikuiri brings an 8-2-1 record into his Bellator debut. He ended his Pancrase tenure with a five-round verdict over Akihiro Murayama to claim welterweight gold. The 27-year-old has five wins by KO/TKO and three via submission.

"At Bellator we are continuously evaluating talent throughout the world in an effort to build on our robust roster of elite athletes,” Coker said. “When it comes to Masayuki Kikuiri specifically, his run in Pancrase has been impressive, winning their welterweight championship. I’m interested to see him match up against some of our talent at 170-pounds, a division that I consider one of our deepest.”