Bellator's release of Alexis Vila isn't surprising, but is probably good news for the former Cuban Olympic wrestler. He joined Bellator's bantamweight division after competing at or near 125 in both international wrestling and regional MMA. The UFC will hold off on signing the 41 year old Vila, but since they are in beta with the flyweight division there's no reason they shouldn't give him a shot. Concerns about his past stints in jail have been addressed and his KO of Joe Warren at Bellator 51 was a phenomenal highlight...as Schiavello would say he "stiffened him up like a box of viagra!".

The same scenario goes for Masakatsu Ueda. I thought he handled Marx at Bellator 64, even if it was a lackluster fight there seems to be no reason he should have lost by UD. Ueda was quoted as saying that he would retire if he lost in the tournament and considering it was the first time he'd fought in the US, it would be a great loss to MMA if he left on that note. He's another guy that despite his age would do well against UFC competition.

Let's keep it fly. Tim Elliot being signed by the UFC is a great addition. He's had two good wins in regional competition over a extremely experienced fighters in Pulver and Rave. I'm stoked about the 125 division and hope the UFC goes all out in pursuit of good fighters across the globe. I wonder which international TUF will feature the first wave of new talent, but I'm hoping the China or India editions include many of the best from Japan and the Philippines as well.

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MMA Transaction Wire: April 6-11

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