UFC veteran Norman Parke signs exclusive multi-fight deal with Bellator

TUF Smashes winner and UFC veteran Norman Parke has signed an exclusive multi-fight deal with Bellator.

Bellator confirmed Parke’s signing to MMA Fighting following an initial report fromMMANytt.com early Friday morning.

Parke (25-6-1) has remained in the higher echelons of the European lightweight ranks since his UFC exit 2016 following a loss to Rustam Khabilov. He has tasted defeat just once in six outings since departing the promotion, a decision loss to fellow European standout, Mateusz Gamrot, in their title bout at KSW 39.

The Next Generation Northern Ireland fighter went unbeaten in his first five tests in the Octagon. He took wins over Colin Fletcher, Kazuki Tokudome, Jon Tuck and Naoyuki Kotani and drew withLeonardo Santos.

He took 1-3 from his last four UFC fights, beginning with a pair of closely contested split decision defeats to Gleison Tibau and Francisco Trinaldo. After getting back in the win column against Reza Madadi, the loss to Khabilov proved to be his last trip to the Octagon.

Since leaving the UFC, Parke has remained relevant with wins over Andrew Fisher, Paul Redmond, Lukasz Chlewicki and Myles Price. However, his failure to hit the lightweight mark on multiple occasions since leaving the UFC has led to questions about his future at 155 lbs.