Bellator Signs Olympic Judoka

Hawn, who competed in judo at the 2004 Olympics, joins a welterweight stable that includes Season 2 tournament winner Ben Askren, Sengoku veteran Dan Hornbuckle and unbeaten champion Lyman Good.

“Adding Rick to our world-class welterweight division is something we’re very excited about,” Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney said in a release. “Rick’s judo pedigree can’t be matched, but it’s his striking that puts him a cut above. Ricks’ potential at 170 pounds is really unlimited.”

Perfect as a professional, Hawn has finished six of his first eight foes. A four-time national judo champion, the 33-year-old placed ninth in the discipline at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. He last fought in July, when he stopped UFC veteran Shonie Carter on a second-round head kick and follow-up punches under the Triumph Fighter banner in Milford, N.H. Hawn trains under former judo world champion and two-time Olympic bronze medalist Jimmy Pedro.

“I signed with Bellator because I’m looking for that next challenge,” Hawn said. “Bellator has a lot of really good welterweights, and I think I fit in well to that division. I'm really looking forward to testing myself against this level of competition. Right now, I'm just looking to constantly improve, but my ultimate goal is to be considered one of the best fighters in MMA."