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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
It's no secret that Bellator's heavyweight division is lacking in depth, and with a need for more fighters in the weight class, they've decided to extend an invitation to former Strikeforce heavyweight Brett Rogers.
The organization announced the signing of Rogers on Tuesday, and he's expected to compete in the next heavyweight tournament.
"I am incredibly thankful to Bjorn Rebney and Bellator for giving me and my family this opportunity," said Rogers. "I feel that I am still one of the top heavyweights in the sport and now I have the opportunity to prove it with Bellator. I love the tournament format as it will give me the chance to regain my top position, of course with a lot hard work."
Rogers began his career with a 9-0 run, then lost consecutive fights to Fedor Emelianenko and Alistair Overeem in Strikeforce. After one fight out of the organization, he was then beaten by Josh Barnett in the opening round of the Strikeforce Heavyeight Grand Prix.
His professional fall was hastened by issues outside of the cage, as he was arrested for a horrific assault of his wife, leading to an immediate release from Strikeforce. He then lost his next bout in September.
"Over the past year I have been challenged in my personal life, but all is now good in the Rogers family," Rogers said. "Everyone makes mistakes in life but it’s how you recover that really counts. I spend every day with my wife and kids and enjoy every minute of it. Fighting is my job and I love it, but I also love my family and that's why I made things right before returning to the cage. All I can say is get ready for a new and improved Brett Rogers."
"I was in Chicago the night Brett Rogers came within just a few punches of dethroning The Last Emperor on a worldwide stage and I watched early in his career when he was a KO machine," Bellator CEO & Chairman Bjorn Rebney said. "Brett's management's been talking to us for months about Brett. And, after talking to Brett at length, I think this could be the type of fresh start he needs to put his fighting career and other parts of his life back to where he hoped they would be."
Penick's Analysis: This is a baffling signing. Not only was his domestic assault issue a horrific and unforgivable offense - and I've made my feelings on this issue no secret from the beginning - but Rogers has lost four of his last five fights, with the only win a decision over Ruben Villareal. I know there aren't a ton of options available for the heavyweight division outside of Zuffa, but he's not a great addition to their roster and he has a very poor history from a PR standpoint. Once they get onto Spike TV that means he'll also be on a larger platform than he was on Showtime, and it's not the type of exposure he deserves.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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