Marcin Held parts ways with Bellator, hopes for future in UFC

Good news if you’re a UFC fan, bad news if you’re a Bellator fan. Former lightweight title contender and longtime Bellator fighter Marcin Held recently announced that he has parted ways with the promotion and is now hoping to fight in the UFC. Held is coming off a decision victory over Dave Jansen, back at Bellator 155, avenging one of the few losses on his already long record.

Still only 24-years-old, Held was an early prospect in the Bellator system, signing with the promotion back in 2011. Since then he’s fought 14 times for the Spike TV organization, amassing an 11-3 record in house (22-4 overall). In a recent Facebook post, Held made his recent career move public (h/t MMA Junkie):

“Something ends, something begins,” Held posted on Facebook, translated from his native Polish language. “Today I terminated my contract with Bellator MMA in friendship relations. I singned (sic) contract in 2010, I fought 15 fights – 12 wins, 3 loses. I revenges for one loss against Dave Jansen. Every fight taught me something that’s why I still improve my skills and want be better and better. I met many fantastic people, I saw a big part of USA and now after 6 years is time to move on. What next? Frankly I don’t know yet. I’ll inform you when I find new employer for sure :) To be honest… I hope it will be UFC :)”

With fighters like Eddie Alvarez, Hector Lombard, Ben Saunders, and more recently Will Brooks blazing the path before him, it seems like Held would be a prime pickup even in an already stacked lightweight division. His go-for-broke grappling style has made him an enthralling fighter to watch, especially with his focus on leg locks, and could make him a fantastic action fighter in the division even if he wouldn’t necessarily be an instant title challenger.

The UFC has been singing just about everybody these days, so hopefully the opportunity for Held to get his shot isn’t far off.