Isao Kobayashi is hunting for two featherweight belts. | Photo: Taro Irei/Sherdog.com
Two-division Pancrase standout Isao Kobayashi is the latest addition to Bellator MMA’s featherweight roster.
The 26-year-old, known simply as “Isao” to fight fans in Japan, announced the news in conjunction with Pancrase on Monday.
According to an official release, the non-exclusive deal with Bellator will allow Kobayashi to continue competing in the long-running Japanese organization where he has spent nearly his entire career. While specifics regarding Kobayashi’s first Bellator appearance were not announced, the Yokohama native is expected to debut on American soil as part of a Spike TV-broadcast main card bout this fall.