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Lorenz Larkin's next fight will be for Bellator. AP/Press Association Images
New Beginning

UFC welterweight contender becomes the latest fighter to leave for Bellator

Lorenz Larkin departs the UFC on the back of big wins over Neil Magny and Jorge Masvidal.

THE UNCERTAINTY OVER Lorenz Lakrin’s mixed martial arts future has been resolved with the news that the 30-year-old Californian has walked away from the UFC to sign a multi-fight deal with Bellator.

Larkin’s move to the rival US-based MMA promotion was confirmed today by The Press Enterprise, who have reported that the welterweight will make his Bellator debut later this year.

Having previously fought for Strikeforce, Larkin made his UFC debut in April 2013 and fought 10 times for the promotion. His two most recent wins — against Jorge Masvidal and Neil Magny, respectively ranked fifth and sixth in the 170lbs division — made Larkin a valuable asset to the UFC.

However, when his contract expired, Larkin opted to test the market as a free agent instead of accepting a fresh UFC contract. ‘The Monsoon’ has now opted to resume his career elsewhere.

“I wanted someone to get behind me and have some faith that I can deliver and I can be an asset to wherever I go, and that’s what I felt like with Bellator. They pretty much checked off all the things that I was looking for,” Larkin told The Press Enterprise.

He added: “I didn’t fight in the UFC just to be able to say ‘I’m a UFC fighter’ — that doesn’t mean anything to me. I think a lot of guys think that way in the sport.

“But in reality that doesn’t mean anything if you’re not getting taken care of. It used to be back in the day that the UFC was a super power, but a lot of organisations are coming up and it’s not like that anymore.”

Larkin, who has a professional record of 18-5, made his MMA debut in 2009. One of his most notable wins came against former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler in a middleweight bout for Strikeforce in July 2012.

He now becomes the latest high-profile fighter to leave the UFC behind in favour of Bellator, following in the footsteps of the likes of Rory MacDonald, Benson Henderson, Phil Davis and Matt Mitrione.

Irish lightweight Joseph Duffy could be next. The Donegal native has been unable to agree terms on a new deal with the UFC ahead of Saturday’s clash with Reza Madadi in London, which is the final fight on his current contract.

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