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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Bellator MMA's Bjorn Rebney has stated time and again that the organization wasn't interested in signing UFC castoffs. However, with more fighters than usual getting released from the organization, a lot of talented fighters have been made available, and Bellator has softened their stance on that front significantly.
The latest case in point comes with featherweight Diego Nunes, as it was reported over the weekend by multiple outlets that Nunes signed a deal with the organization.
The 30-year-old featherweight holds a great overall record in the sport at 18-4 during his nine year career. Unfortunately for him, three of those losses have came over a five fight stretch in the last two years.
Nunes has seemingly been a different fighter since hitting the big stage than he was while fighting on the regional scene in Brazil, though the change to his finishing rate likely has more to do with level of opposition than anything. He entered the WEC back in 2009 following an 11-0 start to his career, winning all of those fights by submission or TKO. He went 4-1 through his WEC run, winning four by decision and suffering the first loss of his career against LC Davis by decision as well.
He then transitioned to the UFC, where he alternated wins and losses through his six fights. All of those bouts also went to decision, making it an 11 fight stretch for him going to the judges. In his most recent outing, he was defeated by Nik Lentz in a one-sided decision in Brazil in January.
He'll now join the Bellator featherweight roster, which may be the strongest in the organization, with Pat Curran currently reigning atop the field.
Penick's Analysis: Nunes is one of those fighters who could have kept going in the UFC and really just needed to find a way to gain momentum and get "over the hump" so to speak against higher level competition. His losses in the UFC all came against really good fighters in Kenny Florian, Dennis Siver, and Nik Lentz, and so even though he's on the outside now, he could find his way on the Bellator roster and in their tournaments. He'll be an immediate challenge to everyone at 145 lbs. there, and for his sake hopefully he can do well.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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