Bellator has inked a Canadian bantamweight, a Bulgarian welterweight, and a Ukrainian featherweight to its roster.
Former World Series of Fighting title challenger Josh Hill (18-3 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), Georgi Valentinov (20-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), and Vladyslav Parubchenko (16-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) can now call themselves Bellator fighters.
A promotion official confirmed Hill’s and Valentinov’s signings and informed MMA Junkie of Parubchenko’s signing on Tuesday.
News of Hill’s signing was first announced by his manager, Brian Butler, on Instagram. Valentinov’s signing was announced by Bulgarian site BOEC last Friday.
Hill challenged then-champion Marlon Moraes twice in WSOF – once in December 2015 and another in July 2016. Hill lost both outings, the first by decision and the second by second-round knockout.
In 2013, Hill was featured on “The Ultimate Fighter 18,” where he punched his ticket into the house with a win over Paddy Holohan. Eventually, he was eliminated when he lost a decision to Mike Wooten.
Hill has won four out of his last five fights, including a stoppage win over former TKO champion Jesse Arnett in May.
As for Valentinov, the 26-year-old fighter has lost just twice since March 2013. The Bulgarian welterweight’s lone losses in the stretch came under the ACB banner against Ismail Naurdiev and Ramazan Kurmagomedov.
Ukraine’s Parubchenko is riding a nine-fight winning streak entering his Bellator contract. The 26-year-old featherweight is a grappling specialist, with 10 of his victories coming by submission. Despite his recent success, Parubchenko hasn’t competed since July of 2018.
