At the end of September, the news broke that Bellator MMA had signed up-and-coming Japanese fighter Masayuki Kikuiri. A former King of Pancrase titleholder, Kikuiri features an 8-2-1 record, including five knockout or technical knockout stoppages and three decision victories. Bellator has yet to announce an official date for the 27-year-old’s promotional debut, but he is expected to join the 170-pound division.
The heavy-handed Kikuiri made his professional debut on April 23, 2017, when he smashed Hirotaka Uehara with punches at the 2:59 mark of the opening frame in their 155-pound affair at Pancrase 286.