BELLATOR SIGNS REIGNING OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALIST KADI MAGOMEDOV TO MULTI-FIGHT DEAL AHEAD OF PRO MMA DEBUT

Los Angeles — BELLATOR MMA has today announced the signing of 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games silver medalist Kadi Magomedov to a long term exclusive, multi-fight contract ahead of his professional mixed martial arts debut.

“Transitioning to MMA has been a goal of mine for many years, and this is the perfect time to start my career,” Magomedov said. “I train with many of the top fighters at the Nurmagomedov School and I learn many things from them every day that will help me win a world championship at BELLATOR, the best fight promotion in the world.”

One of the top men’s freestyle wrestlers in the world, the Dagestani-born athlete represented Belarus at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, defeating Cuba’s Geandry Garzón by a score of 12-8, renowned four-time NCAA Division I National Champion Kyle Dake by a score of 11-0, and two-time World Wrestling Championships gold medalist Frank Chamizo by a score of 9-7 en route to winning the prestigious tournament’s silver medal.

The explosive 28-year-old boasts a championship mantle well-adorned with gold and silver medals from notable tournaments, including the 2020 European Championships, 2017 Russian National Championships, 2017 Yasar Dogu Tournament, and the 2022 Poddubny Wrestling League across the 70kg to 79kg divisions.

Magomedov will compete in BELLATOR’s featherweight division, which is currently championed by the promotion’s pound-for-pound king, Patricio Pitbull (35-5) and features additional top talents including Adam Borics (18-2), Jeremy Kennedy (19-3) and Aaron Pico (10-4).

He will also join a score of notable wrestlers in BELLATOR, including fellow Olympic silver medalist Yoel Romero and fellow recent signee, two-time NCAA DI National Champion Jordan Oliver, among many others.

His professional debut is expected before the end of the year.