Bellator Signs Jackson Protégé Vanier

Bellator Fighting Championships on Monday announced it had reached an agreement with fast-rising lightweight Carey Vanier. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Vanier will join unbeaten Canadian prospect Mike Ricci and 2000 Olympian Ferrid Kheder in the promotion’s Season 2 lightweight tournament, set to begin in April. A collegiate All-American wrestler who trains under famed mixed martial arts trainer Greg Jackson at Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts in Albuquerque, N.M., the 28-year-old will carry a six-fight winning streak into his next appearance.

Vanier credits Jackson -- and the world-class training partners he has under his umbrella -- with his development.

“That’s when it all started to come together for me,” he said in a release. “To work with a world-renowned trainer like Greg and to train alongside guys like Keith Jardine and Donald Cerrone, it just elevates your game. Over the past few months, I’ve started to realize that I’m getting pretty close to their level, which gives me a lot of confidence going into the Bellator tournament. Now I have my sights set on shocking the world and taking home that belt.”

A Minnesota native, Vanier last competed in October when he stopped Paul Mann on second-round strikes at a Shogun Fights show. He has finished five of his last six opponents.

“We’ve been very impressed by Carey’s skills and the work ethic that he brings to his training,” said Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “He’s come up alongside some of the best fighters in the sport and has the drive and the hunger to shock some people in our 155 tournament.”