Bellator MMA signs Jarod Trice to exclusive Mixed Martial Arts contract
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by Danny Brener, Bellator MMA and other sources
Jarod Trice defeats a Russian opponent at the 2012 Dave Schultz Memorial International in Colorado Springs. Photo by Larry Slater.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (May 2, 2016) – Bellator MMA is proud to announce the signing of three-time All American wrestling prospect Jarod Trice to an exclusive, multi-fight contract. The story was broken by Flo Combat and Flo Wrestling, who have chronicled a great deal of his wrestling career.
“We’re excited to be adding yet another world-class wrestling talent to our ever-growing roster of fighters here at Bellator,” said President Scott Coker. “I’ve always taken great pride in our ability to identify and build stars in this business, and I have great confidence that we’ve found a gem in Jarod Trice.”
In addition to his three All-American accolades, the 27-year-old Trice has an impressive trophy case. He was a three-time University Nationals champion, winning both styles in 2010, and adding a Greco-Roman title in 2015 and the Outstanding Wrestler Award. He achieved great success at both 120 kg (264.5 lbs.) and 98kg (216 lbs.) after an impressive 50 lb. weight-loss transformation. Trice recently competed in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Greco-Roman at 98 kg.
“Following in the footsteps of guys like [Ed] Ruth and [Tyrell] Fortune to Bellator MMA was a no brainer for me,” said Trice. “Scott Coker is a promoter that treats the fighters with so much respect, and dealing with him and his team through this signing process has been amazing. I’m really looking forward to fighting for Coker, the Bellator promotion, and for every wrestling and MMA fan out there before the end of the year. If you aren’t familiar with my name yet, you will be as soon as I get in that cage.”
Trice competed at Central Michigan University, where he sixth in the 2013 NCAA Championships, fourth in the 2011 NCAA Championships and eighth in 2010 NCAA Championships.
The standout wrestler will look to compete in Bellator MMA’s impressive light heavyweight division, and hopes to make his professional debut before the end of the year. The jury is out on whether he will keep his nickname, “Doughboy.”
Having trained literally all over the world, including stints at Iowa State University under Kevin Jackson and the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado before heading to Arizona, where he trains with other Bellator MMA stars with incredible wrestling pedigree’s like Darrion Caldwell and Bubba Jenkins. Trice credits Bellator MMA bantamweight Shawn Bunch with giving him the idea to pursue MMA.
Trice is the latest prospect from the world of wrestling to join Bellator MMA’s incredible recruiting class of prospects including: Aaron Pico, Ed Ruth and Tyrell Fortune.
About Bellator MMA
Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader. Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world's premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.
About Spike:
Spike is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike's Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike's press site at http://www.spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (May 2, 2016) – Bellator MMA is proud to announce the signing of three-time All American wrestling prospect Jarod Trice to an exclusive, multi-fight contract. The story was broken by Flo Combat and Flo Wrestling, who have chronicled a great deal of his wrestling career.
“We’re excited to be adding yet another world-class wrestling talent to our ever-growing roster of fighters here at Bellator,” said President Scott Coker. “I’ve always taken great pride in our ability to identify and build stars in this business, and I have great confidence that we’ve found a gem in Jarod Trice.”
In addition to his three All-American accolades, the 27-year-old Trice has an impressive trophy case. He was a three-time University Nationals champion, winning both styles in 2010, and adding a Greco-Roman title in 2015 and the Outstanding Wrestler Award. He achieved great success at both 120 kg (264.5 lbs.) and 98kg (216 lbs.) after an impressive 50 lb. weight-loss transformation. Trice recently competed in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Greco-Roman at 98 kg.
“Following in the footsteps of guys like [Ed] Ruth and [Tyrell] Fortune to Bellator MMA was a no brainer for me,” said Trice. “Scott Coker is a promoter that treats the fighters with so much respect, and dealing with him and his team through this signing process has been amazing. I’m really looking forward to fighting for Coker, the Bellator promotion, and for every wrestling and MMA fan out there before the end of the year. If you aren’t familiar with my name yet, you will be as soon as I get in that cage.”
Trice competed at Central Michigan University, where he sixth in the 2013 NCAA Championships, fourth in the 2011 NCAA Championships and eighth in 2010 NCAA Championships.
The standout wrestler will look to compete in Bellator MMA’s impressive light heavyweight division, and hopes to make his professional debut before the end of the year. The jury is out on whether he will keep his nickname, “Doughboy.”
Having trained literally all over the world, including stints at Iowa State University under Kevin Jackson and the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado before heading to Arizona, where he trains with other Bellator MMA stars with incredible wrestling pedigree’s like Darrion Caldwell and Bubba Jenkins. Trice credits Bellator MMA bantamweight Shawn Bunch with giving him the idea to pursue MMA.
Trice is the latest prospect from the world of wrestling to join Bellator MMA’s incredible recruiting class of prospects including: Aaron Pico, Ed Ruth and Tyrell Fortune.
About Bellator MMA
Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader. Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world's premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.
About Spike:
Spike is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike's Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike's press site at http://www.spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
