Kickboxer Raymond Daniels to make Bellator MMA debut at Bellator Birmingham

MMAfighting.com

Raymond Daniels is making the jump from Bellator Kickboxing to Bellator MMA.

MMA Fighting confirmed with officials that the kickboxing standout will make his first MMA appearance for the promotion when he takes on Jon Durrant in a welterweight bout on the main card of Bellator Birmingham on May 4.

The 38-year-old Californian made the announcement on his social media Tuesday:

“It’s time to drop that fire,” Daniels wrote. “The wait is officially over. England be warned, you have incoming: RD cometh to MMA on May 4th.”

He added, “I’m not coming to MMA to participate, partake, fight or take over. I’m coming to dominate the game and leave a mark.”

Daniels is a decorated martial artist perhaps best known for his 13-year kickboxing career in which he’s fought for K-1, Glory, World Combat League, and Bellator Kickboxing. He is 8-0 under the Bellator Kickboxing banner and currently holds the promotion’s welterweight championship.

In his lone MMA appearance, Daniels lost to Jeremiah Metcalf via a second-round rear-naked choke submission at a Strikeforce show in July 2008.

Hailing from London, Durrant is a kickboxing, boxing, and Muay Thai veteran who will be making his pro MMA debut.