Bellator Signs Hieron for Season 4 Tournament

Former International Fight League welterweight champion Jay Hieron has agreed to an exclusive contract with Bellator Fighting Championships and will take part in the promotion’s Season 4 welterweight tournament. Terms of the deal, announced on Monday, were not disclosed.

Anchored at Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts in Las Vegas, Hieron has rattled off seven consecutive victories. The 34-year-old last appeared under the Strikeforce banner in January, when he defeated fellow UFC veteran Joe Riggs by unanimous decision at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla.

“Jay is a fantastic signing for us at 170 pounds,” Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney said in a release. “Jay is a world-class fighter with serious talent. I can’t wait to see him back on national television competing against other top fighters where he belongs. He is a spectacular addition to our upcoming Season 4 welterweight tournament.”

A well-rounded competitor, Hieron owns notable victories against “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 7 semi-finalist Jesse Taylor, 2009 Dream welterweight grand prix finalist Jason High, former Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion Delson Heleno and UFC veteran Jake Ellenberger. He joins Sengoku vet Dan Hornbuckle, unbeaten Olympic judoka Rick Hawn, unbeaten prospect Chris Lozano, “Judo” Jim Wallhead, Steve Carl and the fast-rising Brent Weedman in Bellator’s Season 4 welterweight draw.

“It’s just a great fit for me,” Hieron said. “At this point in my career, I want to stay as active as possible, and the tournament format allows me to do that. It’s a great organization, and it’s just the perfect fit.”