James Haskell will make his mixed martial arts debut after signing with American MMA promotion Bellator.
The ex-England international is set to compete in the Bellator heavyweight division, and is expected to make his debut in the first half of next year.
Whilst a date has not been set for his professional MMA debut, Haskell is expected to continue training for the remainder of this year, with his first fight expected to take place during the first half of 2020.
Bellator is considered the second biggest MMA promotion in the world behind the UFC.
Haskell, who has worked as an MMA TV pundit in recent years, joined English Premiership club Wasps in 2002 and played a huge role in their English Premiership and European Heineken Cup winning seasons in 2007 and 2008.
His club career also saw him represent Stade Francais in France, Ricoh Black Rams in Japan, Highlanders in New Zealand and Northampton Saints.
Haskell made his England debut in 2007 and went on to win 77 caps and appeared at two World Cups, in 2011 and 2015. The 34-year-old retired in May 2019.
Earlier this year, he revealed his professional career could have taken a very different turn, as he was qualified to play for Wales and Ireland, too.
He said: "I'm actually half Welsh, and I'm fully Welsh qualified, so I could have quite happily played for Wales."
