SBG Ireland fighter Philip 'Honeybadger' Mulpeter has signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA after his win against Keith McCabe in the 3 Arena in September, Mirror Sport can reveal.
The Laois native, who trains under John Kavanagh and came through the ranks alongside the likes of Conor McGregor and Cathal Pendred , opted not to call out another fighter after his win over McCabe.
Instead, he decided to demand a contract from the promotion, who have teased a return to Ireland early next year, and now he wants to prove that he deserves his four-fight deal.
He told Mirror Sport: "I'm so happy, I've been training ten years to get to this point, even after last time I was hoping to make my mark with a finish, but it didn't happen and I thought I might not get the offer.
"I got news this week and I signed this week and I'm just delighted, my last fight made me more money than my whole career put together so this is a game changer.
"A dream of mine is to fight in the United States for a big promotion so I think that's definitely something I can do, but I reckon my first fight could be in Dublin next February.
"I have a few minor knocks after the fight with Keith McCabe but I'm back training now, bringing the weight down and I'll be ready to fight early next year, and I want to fight top guys.
"I'm not 'making my name', I've walked a long hard road, I came through the ranks with all the legends in Irish MMA, and I want to prove that I am also a top guy."
Mulpeter broke Keith McCabe's nose on his way to a decision victory in their welterweight bout at Bellator Dublin in September, but he intends to drop now to lightweight.
"I'm a small welterweight," he explained. "I woke up on the day of the last weigh-in not hungry at all and on weight at 171 pounds, I'd say on fight night I weigh around 175 pounds.
"So I'm going to move back down to lightweight, because I think I have the frame of a 155 pound fighter and I think I can prove I am the best lightweight in Ireland."
A social media battle broke out over finances earlier this week, when Cage Warriors prospect Ian Garry argued that fighters signing for Bellator are more interested in money than legacy.
But Mulpeter believes that should one choose to pursue a future in the UFC, Bellator could still be a good springboard for their goal.
He said: "I see what people's argument is, I saw what Ian [Garry] was saying and I get his point but at the end of the day he's talking about going to the UFC and being the best.
"If you're that confident that you're the best, why not go to Bellator, clean house, win a load of fights and then go to the UFC.
"Why not make money while you're fighting? You're burning brain cells every time you get in there so you might as well get paid well for it.
"I think the argument that the Cage Warriors is a feeder for the UFC is valid, but if you're the Bellator champion like an Eddie Alvarez you can get there."
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