UFC Released Stephan Bonnar to Allow Him to Fight for Bellator MMA

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Former Ultimate Fighting Championship competitor Stephan Bonnar was released from the promotion he called home for more than nine years so he could fight in Bellator MMA.

UFC President Dana White revealed the promotion’s decision following UFC 177 weigh-ins at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, Calif., on Friday.

Along with the news that “The American Psycho” had signed with the Scott Coker-led promotion, came the tidbit that Bonnar was returning to action with the intent of “freeing the MMA world of the virus known as Tito Ortiz.”

On Friday, White confirmed that this was the reason why Bonnar was granted his release and that he had no qualms with any of it.

"He wants to kick Tito's ass and you know I'm always down for that,” White told reporters.

While a matchup pitting Ortiz against Bonnar has yet to be announced, all signs point to Bellator making the bout before the end of 2014.