Bubba Jenkins (Photo/Bellator)Two weeks after Bubba Jenkins and Bellator MMA had parted ways, the 2011 NCAA wrestling champ has signed a multi-fight deal with Russia-based Absolute Championship Berkut, and will make his organizational debut at ACB 54 in Manchester, England on Saturday, March 11.
With just one week's notice, Jenkins, who was 8-3 in Bellator and 11-3 overall, will face Ali Bagov (22-10) in a lightweight (155-pound) bout. Bagov, who launched his pro career in Oct. 2009, was originally scheduled to face Alexandre Pimentel at the event.
"ACB continue to show the international pulling power of their promotion as another top fighter puts pen to paper to sign a multi-fight deal with the organization," ACB said in a statement on its Facebook page Friday.
"Joining the ever-growing ranks of the ACB roster is Bubba 'The Highlight Kid' Jenkins. Bubba made his mark on the collegiate wrestling scene with multiple accolades including the highest of them all when he became the All-American NCAA Division One Champion. With this high-level wrestling base Bubba transitioned well into MMA and developed an all-action style that has seen him finish 7 of his 11 pro victories and that has aptly earned him the nickname of 'The Highlight Kid'!"
As InterMat reported Feb. 15, Bellator MMA severed the relationship with Jenkins, according to multiple MMA websites ... while the former Arizona State and Penn State wrestler said the decision was his, saying on Twitter, ""Haha don't get it twisted folks. I don't get fired ...I fire" .
In an interview with MMAFighting.com immediately after separating from Bellator, Jenkins said, "I wouldn't say that big name fighters in other organizations want to leave. I would say they get released, or they get this or they that, but for them to want to leave is something about the organization. Why is it that Hector Lombard wanted to leave Bellator? Why is it that Eddie Alvarez wanted to leave Bellator? Why is it that Will Brooks -- being a champion of the sport, their champion -- wanted to leave? Why is it that people want leave this organization in the prime of their championship buzz?
"I believe Bellator has their certain guys -- and every organization has their breadwinners -- but it's like man, when you have a guy that's been aiming for the top with you and he gets to the top or a he gets to certain platform where he's like, 'okay, I've been working this hard, can you show me that you care for me,' and then they're just like, well we don't really care for you, and they let people to go or they push you out. It's like, what kind of sport are we in? It's such a dog eat dog world."
Jenkins had announced his plans for a professional MMA career minutes after winning the 157-pound title for Arizona State at the 2011 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, having just pinned his former Penn State teammate David Taylor in the finals. Jenkins' first fight was in December of 2011.
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