Bellator MMA has added another solid name to
its growing light heavyweight division.
On Thursday,
MMA Junkie reported that Stephan
Puetz (20-4), a light heavyweight out of Germany, has been
signed by Bellator. A Bellator official has since confirmed Puetz’
signing to Sherdog.
The 6-foot-6 light heavyweight joins a roster recently bolstered by
signings of names like Yoel Romero
and Anthony
Johnson. A former M-1 Challenge champion, Puetz left the league in 2018
after a pair of stoppage losses in Round 3. Since then, Puetz has
rattled off five wins in the German MMA Championship and Fair
Fighting Championship promotions in Germany, winning belts in both
and finishing four of five foes.
Throughout his career, “T-800” briefly dabbled at heavyweight after
defending his 205-pound throne a few times. His move to heavyweight
matched him against current Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight
contender Marcin
Tybura, and Puetz smashed up Tybura’s face to force a doctor
stoppage in the third frame. Puetz also has history with Bellator’s
light heavyweight champion, posting a 1-1 record against Vadim
Nemkov’s brother, Viktor
Nemkov. Puetz will join the Bellator ranks with a 75 percent
finish rate and a nearly equal number of knockout and submissions
to his credit.