The free agent frenzy (and mini-exodus from the UFC) continues, as top welterweight Lorenz Larkin has signed with the Scott Coker-led promotion. The Riverside Press Enterprise broke the news Thursday. Larkin is a native of Riverside, California.
Larkin (18–5 (1)), 30, was one of the biggest free agents on the market. 4-1 in his last five UFC fights, “The Monsoon” finished Neil Magny with elbows last August in his final octagon appearance. That was the last fight on his deal, though the promotion did attempt to re-sign him prior to the UFC 202 bout. Larkin would infamously refer to the offer as “a slap in the face.”
After waiting out the UFC’s window of exclusivity, Larkin then officially became a free agent – but initially, it seemed as if Bellator was out of the running. An MMAJunkie report earlier this year suggested the two sides could not agree on the issue of salary. However, it seems fighter and promotion have finally found common ground.
This isn’t Larkin’s first go-round with a promotion run by Scott Coker, either. The fighter previously competed in Coker’s old outfit, Strikeforce. Coker reacted to the signing on Twitter:
Looking forward to seeing @da_MONSOON in the @BellatorMMA cage very soon. Welcome back Lorenz! #BellatorNation https://t.co/e1EEZNrErx
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) March 16, 2017
According to the Riversider report, Larkin is expected to debut later this year. In response to the signing, the fighter stated
They can expect me to get in there and fight my ass off like I always do. I feel like I’m in a great time in my life. I have an organization and a city behind me and what else do I need?
