
CHICAGO (January 18, 2010) – Undefeated Canadian lightweight Mike Ricci, a regular training partner to fellow Quebec native Georges St-Pierre, is the latest highly-touted MMA prospect to sign an exclusive contract with Bellator Fighting Championships, the promotion announced today.
The 23-year-old Ricci, who will enter Bellator’s 155 lbs. tournament with an unblemished pro record of 5-0, trains alongside GSP under the famed Firas Zahabi at his TriStar gym in Montreal. Zahabi told Bellator on Sunday that he thinks Ricci is “the next big thing” to come out of Canada.
“It’s a long road to become the next GSP, but Ricci is the farthest along that road of anyone we’ve got,” Zahabi said. “He’s still earning his stripes, so to speak, but if he continues to progress, I think he’ll be right up there with St-Pierre.”