Bellator Inks Top-Ranked Bantamweight Masakatsu Ueda To Multi-Fight Deal

Renown Japanese bantamweight Masakatsu Ueda has signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator Fighting Championships, according to reports from The Fight Lounge. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Bellator officials have yet to confirm a debut date for their newest acquisition, but a spot in season six's bantamweight tournament is probable. The tournament is slated to begin in March 2012.

Ueda (14-1-2), MMA Nation's No. 10 ranked bantamweight, has competed primarily in Shooto throughout his career, successfully defending a two-year reign as 132-pound champion from 2008 to 2010. The 33-year-old is an accomplished grappler and wrestler, and carries wins over Royler Gracie, Rumina Sato, and Bellator season five tournament champion Eduardo Dantas.

Without a doubt, Ueda immediately becomes one of Bellator's chief assets and bolsters what is quickly evolving into a robust 135-pound roster. He has won six of his last seven contests, capping the run with his current four-fight win streak.