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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
The UFC has signed Norwegian heavyweight Jon Olav Einemo, according to a report from Ariel Helwani at MMAFighting.com.
The 35-year-old member of Team Golden Glory compiled a 6-1 record in MMA competition from 2000-2006, but left the sport for nearly four years after a win over James Thompson. He returned to MMA last June, defeating Kresimir Bogdanovic in Bosnia.
The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt has been successful in competition at the Abu Dhabi Combat Club tournaments, and is the only person to defeat multi-time ADCC champion Roger Gracie in grappling competition.
There's no word on the length of the contract, or when, where and against whom Einemo will debut against, though he'll likely debut sometime soon.
Penick's Analysis: Einemo's only career loss was to Fabricio Werdum in his one fight in Pride, and though his career was spent against an overall lesser level of competition in Europe, he's got a very good primary skill set in his jiu jitsu game that can play a major factor. He wouldn't be a name upon his debut, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him tapped for someone like Shane Carwin in June, who doesn't have an opponent yet. I think Einemo would be more interesting than Cheick Kongo at this point for Carwin, personally, but it's not necessarily a likely move on the UFC's part with a debuting fighter. Still, prior to leaving the sport at the end of 2006, Einemo finished all of his fights except for a decision loss to Werdum. He'll be a good addition to a division that can always use more depth.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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