Sport Fight heavyweight champion D.J. “Da Protege” Linderman (8-1) will  be dropping to 205-pounds for Bellator Fighting Championships‘ season four light heavyweight tournament, tentatively scheduled to start in mid-February.

Linderman notified ProMMAnow.com of the news on Tuesday.

The light heavyweight division is currently the only Bellator weight class without a champion.

A Northern California fighter, Linderman began his career in 2008 with five straight victories. In May 2009, he lost a unanimous decision to IFL veteran Devin Cole (18-8-1) at Brass Knuckle Productions’ “Cinco de Massacre,” and remains his only loss to this day.

Following the loss, Linderman rebounded, winning his next three fights. His most recent bout was a five round war with Daniel Stewart (4-2) at Sport Fight 28 in August in which he won the Sport Fight Heavyweight Title.

Though not confirmed, there are rumors that former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez may also compete in Bellator’s season four light heavyweight tournament.

Stay tuned as more information comes out in the following weeks about Bellator’s fourth season and the other fighters competing in their light heavyweight tournament.

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