Bellator MMA is adding an elite name to its roster from sport, and particularly American, jiu-jitsu. Rafael Lovato, Jr. has signed with the organization to join its middleweight division.
Lovato, 33, currently holds a professional MMA record of 4-0. He made his debut in 2014, competing only once in 2015 and twice in 2016. All of his bouts have taken place in the Legacy Fighting Championship cage, the last of which came in a first-round submission victory (armbar) this past November.
Lovato is noteworthy in sport jiu-jitsu for his 2007 World Championship victory, whereby he became the third American to earn that designation.