Bellator signs ex-UFC middleweight Alessio Sakara

Bellator MMA added former UFC middleweight Alessio Sakara to the roster ahead of the promotion's first foray into Italy in 2016.

From Bellator's official release:

Bellator MMA has signed one of Italy's most notable mixed martial artists, Alessio Sakara (17-11, 2 NC MMA / 8-1 Boxing), who is expected to fight at the event. Sakara has competed as a middleweight, but recently returned to light heavyweight, scoring a TKO victory just 1:32 into his last outing this past September. The tattooed striker has always performed well in front of his countrymen, going 6-0 in MMA and 6-1 in boxing when fighting in Italy, and looks to add onto that success next April.

The rugged 34-year-old Italian had an up-and-down UFC tenure, posting a 6-8 (1 no contest) record, while notching notable victories over Thales Leites and James Irvin. He was released by the promotion in 2013 after consecutive losses to Chris Weidman, Brian Stann, Patrick Cote, and Nicholas Musoke.

Since exiting the UFC, Sakara is 1-0 (1 no contest), besting Dib Akil via TKO during an FFC event in September.