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Report: Roy Nelson signs with Bellator MMA

Ron Chenoy / USA TODAY Sports

Roy Nelson is Bellator bound.

A month after fighting out his UFC contract in a loss to Alexander Volkov, the longtime heavyweight has signed an exclusive multi-fight deal with the Scott Coker-led outfit, Ariel Helwani of MMA Fighting reports.

Bellator is expected to announce the signing in the next few days and is reportedly looking to book Nelson's debut for the fall.

"Big Country" made his UFC debut in late 2009 with a first-round KO of Brendan Schaub to win season 10 of "The Ultimate Fighter," and while he never challenged for the promotion's heavyweight title, his glorious gut, heavy hands, and iron chin earned him fight fans' undying adoration.

Nelson picked up knockout wins over Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, Cheick Kongo, and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in the Octagon, but fell on hard times in the latter half of his seven-year stint, winning just three of his last 10 bouts. He leaves the UFC with a promotional record of 9-10 and heads to Bellator with a professional record of 22-14.

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