Jarod TriceBellator described the deal as "an exclusive, multi-fight contract." Specifics of the deal were not revealed.
Trice, 27, was a thrice an All-American at Central Michigan in the 285-pound weight class, placing sixth at the 2013 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, fourth in the 2011 NCAAs, and eighth in 2010. In addition, the Highland Park, Michigan native was a 2011 MAC (Mid-American Conference) champion, and twice a titlewinner at the prestigious Midlands Classic at Northwestern University.
Beyond his collegiate mat career with the CMU Chippewa, Trice has made a name for himself in Greco-Roman wrestling. He was a three-time University Nationals champion, winning both Greco and freestyle in 2010, and adding a Greco-Roman title in 2015 and the Outstanding Wrestler Award. He achieved great success at both 120 kilograms (264.5 pounds) and 98 kilos (216 pounds) after an impressive 50-pound weight-loss transformation. Trice recently competed in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Greco-Roman at 98 kilos.
Trice is the latest amateur wrestling star to sign with Bellator, joining Ed Ruth, Tyrell Fortune and Aaron Pico who joined the organization in the past year. As the MMA website Sherdog.com wrote in its announcement, "Those fighters have yet to set foot inside the cage, but Trice may be on the fast track to fighting, as Bellator stated that he could debut by the end of 2016."
"Following in the footsteps of guys like Ruth and Fortune to Bellator MMA was a no-brainer for me," Trice said in a statement. "(Bellator President) 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."
"We're excited to be adding yet another world-class wrestling talent to our ever-growing roster of fighters here at Bellator," said 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."
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