Decorated collegiate wrestler Jarod Trice is set to embark on a mixed martial arts career with Bellator MMA.
Trice, a three-time NCAA Div. I All-American at Central Michigan University, wrestled as a heavyweight in college but is expected to make his MMA debut at 205 pounds. In addition to his freestyle accolades, Trice is also an accomplished Greco-Roman wrestler. According to Bellator, the 27-year-old Michigan native is currently training alongside fellow wrestlers-turned-fighters Darrion Caldwell and Bubba Jenkins.
Trice is the latest in a string of blue-chip wrestling prospects to be signed by Bellator, a list which includes Ed Ruth, Tyrell Fortune and Aaron Pico. Those fighters have yet to set foot inside the cage, but Trice may be on the fast track to fighting, as Bellator stated that he could debut by the end of 2016.
“Following in the footsteps of guys like Ruth and Fortune to Bellator MMA was a no brainer for me,” Trice said in a statement. “Scott Coker is a promoter that treats the fighters with so much respect, and dealing with him and his team through this signing process has been amazing. I’m really looking forward to fighting for Coker, the Bellator promotion, and for every wrestling and MMA fan out there before the end of the year. If you aren’t familiar with my name yet, you will be as soon as I get in that cage.”
I'm coming to take over!
— Jarod Trice (@Iam_DOUGH) April 19, 2016