SBG welterweight Richard Kiely signs for Bellator

Outspoken Irish kickboxer turned MMA fighter Richard Kiely has come out of retirement and signed with Bellator.

Bellator confirmed the signing to MMA Fighting.

Formerly known as “The Face of BAMMA,” Kiely caused mass debate on the European scene when he was fast-tracked to a BAMMA title shot at 2-0 against Alex Lohore in his hometown following two highlight-reel knockouts over Keith McCabe and Daniel Olejniczak.

Kiely (2-1) last competed in the main event BAMMA 32 when he lost his title clash with then champion Lohore, who submitted the Irish striker with a kneebar in the opening round of their Dublin showdown. It later emerged that Kiely carried a knee injury into the title clash.

In May, just three fights into his MMA career, Kiely announced his retirement from the sport, but told SevereMMA.com that he would only return to the sport on one condition — if he was handed a showdown with former two-weight BAMMA champion Terry Brazier. Brazier has recently signed with the promotion.

Kiely is just one of a number of Irish and U.K. signings that are set to be announced in the coming days. Sources suggest that he is just one of numerous signees that will be announced that fight out of SBG Ireland.