Bellator MMA signs former UFC strawweight title challenger Valerie Letourneau

[Wild]

Another former UFC title challenger is Bellator bound.

If you watched Bellator 178 on Friday night, you may have noticed that they had one-time women’s strawweight title contender Valerie Letourneau in attendance and spotlighted on camera. That evening, MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani reported that a deal to sign the Canadian was close to being finalized. As of Monday, Bellator PR confirmed it is now official.

Letourneau (8-6) made her UFC debut as a bantamweight in June 2014, beating Elizabeth Phillips by split decision. She made the move down to strawweight at UFC 186, beating TUF 18 runner-up Jessica Rakoczy by unanimous decision. After besting Maryna…


Bellator MMA signs ex-UFC contender Valerie Letourneau

 

[Onetrickpony]

Thank god we don't have to see her cut to 115 anymore.

Those weigh ins were upsetting to see.

 

[TheEmperorRises]

Good signing. Instant contender and she'll be much better suited for 125

 

[Wild]

Thank god we don't have to see her cut to 115 anymore.

w

Those weigh ins were upsetting to see.

Agreed. That was painful to watch.

Good to see some of ladies going back to fight for the guy that started WMMA.

 

[TheEmperorRises]

Agreed. That was painful to watch.

Good to see some of ladies going back to fight for the guy that started WMMA.

Wouldn't say he started WMMA, but he was definitely a huge reason it became popular in America.

 

[Wild]

Wouldn't say he started WMMA, but he was definitely a huge reason it became popular in America.

Coker introduced it to the mainstream here, so you're wording is better than mine.

 

[Clappin'Daddys]

Coming off 3 losses, but she will finally be able to fight st her own weight class.

Expect a canada card to be announced soon. Rory, budd, Valerie, and even varga in kb. Heard tj grant wanted to come back. Is he still under UFC contract? Bellator could pick him up

 

[bully4me]

Val is much better suited for 125lbs. As pointed out 115 was just way to much of a cut and at 135 she was undersized. This will be perfect for her size, not to mention her chin, cardio and overall performance should be much better.

Great signing! Bellator was very smart with this one. A named fighter, UFC Championship Contender coming into a NEW division for the company that needs a recognized face. Very good chance she will become the Bellator Flyweight Champion. The division as a whole may get more WMMA fighters from Invicta and the UFC that are a similar size to Valerie, the in betweeners of 115 and 135.

Happy to see her land on her feet after the UFC split.

Still ticks me off when any fighter make it to a CHampionship fight, loses two more and gets cut. The three strikes rule shouldn't count for title contenders or CHampions who lose. Many fighters who lose fighting for the title do lose their next fight as well. Then the next is do or die and usually against a top ranked guy. Just look at Weidman, Rory, RDA, and Tate all great fighters, all lost right after fighting for the belt....