Darrion Caldwell choked out Joe Warren (Photo/Bellator)"Darrion is a fighter who I really think has that x-factor," said Scott Coker, Bellator's president. "After his last fight, I looked at our matchmaker and I just said, 'Wow, this is kid is exploding with talent.' I'm very happy we were able to get this deal done and I look forward to seeing this star rise for years to come."
The former Wolfpack mat champ expressed his appreciation for Bellator's commitment to his undefeated MMA career.
"Just believing in what they had in mind and their plan for me, that's the biggest thing," Caldwell said. "It's bigger than me. I know they have a vision. Even though I have a vision as well -- my vision is to be the world champ -- they have a vision on how to put me in a position to make sure I maximize everything outside of the cage. And so, I feel like we touched on a lot of subjects there. I think we've got a star in the making."
Caldwell made his pro MMA debut in 2012. In his most recent fight -- his sixth for Bellator -- the 28-year-old Caldwell defeated former two-division Bellator champion, and Greco-Roman world champion wrestler Joe Warren back in March.
Prior to entering MMA competition, Caldwell was a two-time NCAA Division I All-American at N.C. State, winning the 149-pound title at the 2009 NCAAs by upsetting defending champ Brent Metcalf of Iowa in the finals, in what the late amateur wrestling historian Jay Hammond considered to be one of the three biggest upsets in NCAA finals history. Caldwell was named Outstanding Wrestler for the tournament.
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