Bellator Signs Former M-1 Challenge Champ Stephan Puetz

Bellator MMA has added another solid name to its growing light heavyweight division.

On Thursday, MMA Junkie reported that Stephan Puetz (20-4), a light heavyweight out of Germany, has been signed by Bellator. A Bellator official has since confirmed Puetz’ signing to Sherdog.

The 6-foot-6 light heavyweight joins a roster recently bolstered by signings of names like Yoel Romero and Anthony Johnson. A former M-1 Challenge champion, Puetz left the league in 2018 after a pair of stoppage losses in Round 3. Since then, Puetz has rattled off five wins in the German MMA Championship and Fair Fighting Championship promotions in Germany, winning belts in both and finishing four of five foes.

Throughout his career, “T-800” briefly dabbled at heavyweight after defending his 205-pound throne a few times. His move to heavyweight matched him against current Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight contender Marcin Tybura, and Puetz smashed up Tybura’s face to force a doctor stoppage in the third frame. Puetz also has history with Bellator’s light heavyweight champion, posting a 1-1 record against Vadim Nemkov’s brother, Viktor Nemkov. Puetz will join the Bellator ranks with a 75 percent finish rate and a nearly equal number of knockout and submissions to his credit.