Despite initially showing no interest when he was released by the UFC, Bellator MMA has signed former UFC middleweight title contender Yoel Romero for their light heavyweight division, debuting at some point in 2021.

ESPN’s Ariel Helwani first reported the news with Romero’s agents confirming. Helwani reported that after Bellator initially passed, both sides talked further with a light heavyweight run on the table, coming to a deal recently.

With the deal, Romero reunites with Scott Coker who he fought for once during an injury-plagued run in Strikeforce.

UFC released the 43-year-old ten days ago as part of 60+ cuts UFC president Dana White said are coming by year’s end in an effort to cut down their growing roster size.

Bellator has made an effort to deepen their light heavyweight division this year, signing former UFC contender Corey Anderson and former UFC title contender Anthony “Rumble” Johnson to join current champion Vadim Nemkov and former champion Ryan Bader.