Wanderlei Silva signs with Bellator MMA

Former PRIDE and UFC star Wanderlei Silva has signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA, the organization confirmed Wednesday.

The 39-year-old Silva has not fought since March 2013. His run with the UFC came to a tumultuous end after he received a lifetime ban in the state of Nevada for avoiding a drug test, though the ban was later overturned and reduced to a three-year suspension.

The relationship between Silva and the UFC deteriorated further when Silva accused them of fixing fights. He recanted the statements and was promptly granted his release in January.

Silva was recently in talks with Japanese promotion Rizin Fighting Federation. Bellator fighters Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal, A.J. Matthews, and Brennan Ward competed at the company's inaugural shows last December, so this signing should not preclude Silva from working with Rizin in the future.