Bellator has just recently hired Scott Coker as the new boss of the promotions and it seems like he si making some changes to the organization in order to make it in line with its new vision.
Among the changes that the organization is making is the releasing of thirteen of their priced fighter which includes a former champion and several tournament champions. The list has been confirmed by Bellator officials through MMA Officials.
The official list of released fighters is as follows:
Attila Vegh, light heavyweight, won a 2012 tournament and was the Bellator light heavyweight champion before losing his title to Emanuel Newton in March of this year.
Des Green, featherweight, fought five times under the Bellator banner in two tournaments and was a finalist in the season 10 featherweight tournament.
Shahbulat Shamhalaev, featherweight, fought five times under the Bellator banner and won the season 7 tournament. He lost in the title opportunity he gained via first-round submission to Pat Curran in April of 2013.
Bryan Baker, competed in Bellator since 2009 and in four tournaments.
Mighty Mo Siglia, heavyweight
Mark Godbeer, heavyweight
Justin Torrey, middleweight
Egidijus Valavicius, light heavyweight
Sergio Junior, welterweight
Rodney Wallace, light heavyweight
Ron Sparks, heavyweight
Patrick Cenoble, lightweight
Austen Heidlage, light heavyweight
As of now, the reason for the dismissal was not informed.
Aside from those fighters, 30 year old Eddie Alvarez in now officially a free agent right after Bellator has granted his release. The former Bellator Lightweight Champion had joined Bellator's lightweight tournament at Bellator's inaugural event on April 3, 2009.
New Bellator boss Scott Coker did not want to complicate things and have decided to release Alvarez of his contract. According to Coker in a statement release by Bellator "We've granted Eddie his unconditional release."
He added "Eddie is free to explore the free agent market, we hold no matching rights, and we wish him the best in the future. We sat down with Eddie and his team a few times, and it became pretty clear early on that he just wasn't interested in fighting for Bellator in the future. We want guys in this organization that want to be here, and after the history Eddie and the former regime had here at Bellator, we decided to move on. We wish Eddie the absolute best of luck with whatever is next for him. It's a new chapter for everyone involved."
