Bellator is adding a promising talent to its bantamweight ranks.
MMA Fighting confirmed with people with knowledge of the news that former UFC fighter Brett Johns has joined Bellator, following an initial report by ESPN. The signing is not official yet, but Johns and the promotion have agreed to terms.
In seven appearances for the UFC, Johns (17-2) showed hints of being a future title contender. He won his first three UFC fights to improve his pro start to 15-0 before dropping consecutive decisions to top-ranked bantamweights Aljamain Sterling and Pedro Munhoz.