Bellator
BELLATOR NEWS: D.J. Linderman joins season four light heavyweight tournament
Feb 18, 2011 - 2:32:15 PM BELLATOR NEWS: D.J. Linderman joins season four light heavyweight tournament

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Bellator's season four light heavyweight tournament continues to fill up, as the organization has added D.J. "Da Protege" Linderman to the eight man field.

The 8-1 professional returns to action for the first time since July of 2010 when the opening round begins this March. He's also making a drop from the heavyweight division to take part in the tournament.

"D.J. should bring great power with him when he makes the cut to 205 lbs. for the first time in our Light Heavyweight Tournament on MTV2," said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. "He had a very aggressive style at Heavyweight, so at 205, he could be a force in this tournament."

Though he's only been in the sport for a few years, the 27-year-old is out to compete in this tournament and use the experience to improve himself overall.

"I want to improve my game all around,” said Linderman. "I want to improve my cardio, my strength and my quickness. Being a heavyweight that's dropping down to light heavyweight has its advantages. I feel like I will be better than ever at light heavyweight."

"I've never competed in a tournament like this before, so I'm really excited to take part in this one with Bellator. I know this tournament will have a bunch of great fighters, and they're going to try to put everything they have out there, and so will I. I'm looking to make a name for myself to the millions of fans that will be watching on MTV2."

Linderman joins Daniel Gracie, Nik "The Machete" Fekete, and Chris Davis as the confirmed participants for the tournament to date.