Mann Signs with Bellator, Debuts in Season 4

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Shark Fights featherweight champion Ronnie Mann has signed an exclusive contract with Bellator Fighting Championships and will debut during Bellator’s upcoming fourth season, the promotion announced Thursday.

Mann will compete in a non-tournament bout during season four, and will reportedly take part in the rumored fifth-season 145-pound bracket. It is currently unknown at which event the 26-year-old will take his first steps into the circular Bellator cage.

The twice-beaten Brit rides back-to-back wins into Bellator, most recently having bested Doug Evans to capture the aforementioned Shark Fights belt in September. Prior to that win, Mann handed blue chip prospect Shigeki Osawa his first loss with a unanimous decision at Sengoku 11 in November 2009.

“Signing with Bellator is like a dream come true for me. I am more than excited for the opportunity to show fans what I’m capable of here in the United States,” said Mann in a release. “Even more exciting than that is the fact that I’ll be getting to show what I’m capable of against some of the best fighters in the world, which Bellator provides. Honestly, I can’t wait to put my skills on display. 2011 is my time to shine.”

Mann began his pro career at age 17, fighting almost exclusively in the U.K. before making his Sengoku debut in 2009 as part of the promotion’s featherweight grand prix. Though he was successful in the opening round, outpointing Tetsuya Yamada, the Team Trojan product stumbled in the quarterfinal against current Sengoku and Shooto champion Hatsu Hioki and submitted to a first-round triangle choke.

“Trying to capture the Bellator world featherweight championship is absolutely my main goal. I don’t care how long it takes, that’s what I'm here to do,” said Mann.