Bellator signs Brian Rogers to compete in season 5 middleweight tournament

Cleveland knockout artist Brian "The Predator" Rogers looks to continue 6-fight win streak in Bellator season 5 middleweight tournament

Brian "The Predator" Rogers (blue trunks) is sponsored by Intimidation Clothing & Muscle Basix and can be found on Twitter @BRogthePredator.

ProFighting-fans.com has learned that Cleveland-based knockout artist Brian "The Predator" Rogers has agreed to terms to be a participant in the Bellator Fighting Championship season 5 middleweight tournament. Rogers, 7-2, is riding a 6-fight win streak that features six straight 1st round KO/TKO stoppages. A product of the Strong Style Fight Team and the strong MMA scene in and around Cleveland, Ohio, Rogers was previously scheduled for a middleweight title fight at Dan Bobish's Ultimate Cage Battles on June 25th in Parma, Ohio. Rogers has fought his all nine of his professional fights with the NAAFS, Shine Fights and the aforementioned UCB promotions. His most recent fight was a 1st round TKO of Ian Rammell at Strikeforce: Feijao vs Henderson in Columbus, Ohio in March 2011.

ProFighting-fans.com was fortunate enough to speak with Rogers just hours before the live announcement of his signing during the Bellator 45 broadcast on MTV2:

Q: First off, congratulations on signing the deal with Bellator. Do you know if you will definitely be a participant in the Season 5 Middleweight Tournament or will you have to win a qualifier bout to get in?

Rogers: As far as I know they looked at my body of work and I will be one of the automatic entries into the 8-man tournament in September.

 

Q: Do you know of any other participants in Bellator's Season 5 Middleweight Tournament?

Rogers: I believe Brian Baker (Bellator's Season 2 Middleweight Tournament runner-up) and Alexander Shlemenko (Bellator's Season 2 Middleweight Tournament winner) are expected to be in the season 5 tournament. Also I believe Vitor Vianna, Wanderlei Silva's BJJ instructor, has signed to participate in the tournament as well.

 

Q: What does signing with Bellator mean for your MMA goals and career?

Rogers: This is a great opportunity for me to showcase my skills on a national stage. When I first started in MMA at age 22 or 23 I told myself that if I could not compete with the best in the sport by 28 that something was wrong. I am 27 now and the opportunity is finally here, a little earlier than I had hoped. I also told myself that I do not need to become a multi-millionaire in the sport but if I can be in a position to write a check to pay off my student loans and make a down payment on a house thanks to my earnings then my MMA career would be a success in my eyes. I am now three wins away from that being a reality.

 

Published May 21, 2011