Lorenz Larkin, the No. 8-ranked welterweight in the world, according to ESPN, is headed for Bellator MMA.
Bellator president Scott Coker confirmed Larkin's signing on Thursday. The announcement ends a 10-fight relationship between Larkin and the UFC.
Larkin (18-5) has fought as high as 205 pounds, but he has settled in at 170 in recent years. He went 4-1 as a UFC welterweight, with wins over Jorge Masvidal and Neil Magny.
The 30-year-old Californian fought out his UFC contract in August, when he knocked out Magny at UFC 202. Larkin has said the UFC did offer a contract extension prior to that fight, but the two sides were unable to agree on terms.
The move reunites Larkin with his former promoter in Coker. Larkin fought under Coker's now-defunct Strikeforce banner from 2011 to 2012.
Bellator's welterweight title is currently owned by Douglas Lima. The division also boasts the likes of Rory MacDonald, Paul Daley, Michael Page and Andrey Koreshkov.
