CHICAGO, Ill. (April 7, 2011) — Four-time Division I All-American wrestler Tony Johnson has found a home with Bellator Fighting Championships and will make his promotional debut on April 16 at Bellator 41 in Yuma, AZ against undefeated heavyweight Carlos Flores. Bellator 41 will air LIVE on MTV2 starting at 9pm EST.
“Tony is a fighter we have had our eye on for quite some time,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “He’s one of the top heavyweight prospects in the world right now, and will make a great addition to our already impressive heavyweight lineup.”
Johnson began his combat career early, earning All-American honors in wrestling four times during his high school career. After moving onto Ohio State where he became a four-time All-American collegiately, Johnson’s competitive juices were still flowing upon graduation, and like many of today’s top mixed martial artists, turned to MMA. Now holding an impressive 5-1 record with a King of the Cage Championship to his name, Johnson is eager to compete for the Bellator Heavyweight Title.
“I definitely want to be a part of the next Bellator Heavyweight Tournament,” said Johnson. “I think it would be a great opportunity for me. It would mean everything to me to become the next Bellator Heavyweight Champion,” said Johnson.
Even with a championship title to his name, Johnson knows his career is just beginning, and is ready for the challenges that await him inside the Bellator cage.
“I can only improve,” Johnson said. “I plan on getting better and better every time I enter that cage. I feel in my heart like I’m able to compete with the best heavyweights out there, and now it’s time for me to prove it. I’m ready for it. I’m ready to take that next challenge.”
For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Bellator
