Lost in the swirl of signing former UFC fighters and semi-retired bums is the fact that Bellator are signing all of the wrestling prospects not named Henry Cejudo. In the past year or so Bellator have been scooping up NCAA wrestlers. They have just this past week signed Jarod Trice, who joins Ed Ruth, Tyrell Fortune, and Aaron Pico. Trice, 27, has national titles in Freestyle and Greco-Roman and is a three-time All-American. He is expected to compete at light heavyweight or heavyweight. Ed Ruth, 25, is also a three-time All-American and three time national champion. The 25-year old is yet to compete and is expected to debut as a middleweight. Tyrell Fortune, 25, is a D2 champion and former wrestler of the year. He is also part of the US Olympic team. He is a heavyweight. A-A-Ron Pico, 19, is a two time junior Freestyle national champion and world silver medalist. He just missed qualifying for the Rio Olympics. He's training at AKA and is a featherweight.
it's a smart gamble imo... but they may also get the next jake or jarred rosholt. guy who have not evolved that much with mma
Josh Thomson recently withdrew from a Bellator title fight due to being KO'd in training by none other than 19-year old Aaron Pico.
Bellator has added four-time NCAA champion Joey Davis to their roster of wrestling prospects. Davis never lost a wrestling match in his college career.
At least they are still trying to develop upcoming talent and not ONLY picking up scraps from the UFC. Thought they may have been following the Strikeforce / TNA Wrestling model of trying to attract fans with known 'names' that they over pay for in hopes of getting bigger crowds. It doesn't work. If you're the junior circuit you gotta build your own talent and hope to keep them.
Are they trying to start a new lay and pray division? Kudos to them for trying to build talent, hopefully it works out.
