With welterweight and featherweight fields already established, Bellator Fighting Championships appears to have turned its attention to revealing the eight 155-pounders competing this season for a six-figure paycheck and an opportunity to take on one of the top lightweights in MMA today, Bellator champ Eddie Alvarez.

The first name mentioned by the promotion as participating in the Season 4 tournament is former WEC title-holder “Razor” Rob McCullough. The 19-6 Californian went 2-0 in 2010 after parting ways with WEC and holds past wins over Rich Crunkilton, Marcus Hicks, Ryan Healy, and Nam Phan. Eleven of his wins have come by way of TKO.

UPDATE: According to friend/manager Ken Pavia by way of Twitter it appears McCullough will make his Bellator debut on March 12.

“You’re definitely going to see a new and improved version of ‘Razor’ Rob in Bellator,” explained McCullough. “I have a family now so I’m not out running around like I was before. I’m more conditioned and focused than ever. I’ve completely rededicated myself to this sport. This is my career. I’m supporting a little boy and a wife now. It’s become bigger than just me.”

McCullough became a father in March with wife, and former Penthouse Pet, Lexxi Tyler.

“I’ve been training for the last six months straight, twice a day, every day,” he continued on his bid in the tournament. “I’ve been adding new elements to my game, tweaking things and working on old techniques. I’ve got nothing but positive people surrounding me and I’m ready to get back to the top.”

Though no other lightweights have been officially attached to Season 4 other 155-pound fighters on the Bellator roster with the credentials for a tournament run include Toby Imada, Patricky Freire, and Pat Curran.

Bellator will kick things off with the first event of 2011 on March 5 in Lemoore, California with the Season 4 debut on MTV2.Similar Posts:

• Bellator names Patricio Freire as seventh featherweight in Season 4 tournament
• Inverted Triangle Warning: Toby Imada returns to Bellator
• Bellator Road to the Finals: Full Video
• 5-0 Michael Chandler added to Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Tournament
• Season 2 Semi-Finalist Carey Vanier added to Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Tournament

PRESS RELEASE / CHICAGO, Ill. (October 14, 2010) — Huntington Beach-based knockout artist “Razor” Rob McCullough has signed an exclusive contract with Bellator Fighting Championships and will compete in the upcoming Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Tournament. The former WEC Lightweight Champion enters the promotion riding a two-fight win streak and boasts a professional record of 19-6, with 10 of those wins coming via KO or TKO. The fan favorite, due to his consistently entertaining performances, holds impressive victories over Rich Crunkilton, Nam Pham, Marcus Hicks, and most recently, UFC veteran Corey Hill.

“Razor Rob is a dangerous lightweight with championship experience who has consistently displayed an ability to end fights throughout his career,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “If you are a fan of the Lightweight division in MMA, you’ve got to be a fan of Razor’s. I’m looking forward to watching him compete in our Season 4 Lightweight Tournament.”

There is no question that it was McCullough’s life outside of the cage that made him the fighter he is today. Leaving home at age 14, he spent a large part of his adolescence on the streets of Huntington Beach, bouncing from friend’s couches and getting involved with gangs.

“I grew up with a pretty crazy family life as a kid. I separated from my family at a fairly young age,” said McCullough. “I ended up telling my Mom that I was going to the beach, and I packed my bags, knowing that I wasn’t coming back. I ended up getting mixed up in a lot of gang stuff after I left home.”

However, “Razor” eventually found security and guidance in a local kickboxing gym where he started training in 1995.

“I started thinking to myself, ‘Dude, this is not the road I pictured my life going down.’ I was packing knives and fighting all the time, and I was just like, ‘Man, this sucks.’ That’s when I started training kickboxing. Shortly after that I hooked up with Tito Ortiz, who was fighting for the UFC in its early stages, and just totally dedicated myself to training,” said McCullough. “I absolutely feel like martial arts saved my life.”

McCullough went 35-2 in his amateur kickboxing career, eventually transitioning to training MMA fulltime and going pro in 2001. McCullough rose quickly in the sport. By 2007 he amassed an eight fight win streak, eventually capturing the WEC Lightweight title. However, after winning the belt the dangerous striker admittedly lost focus and motivation, going 2-3 in his next five fights.

“I never grew up with a silver spoon in my mouth, and then all of a sudden I started making some money after becoming successful in my fighting career,” said McCullough. “I was going to clubs all the time…flying to Tokyo…hanging out at the Playboy Mansion and next thing I knew, I was completely and totally distracted from my career as a professional mixed martial artist.”

A year and a half ago McCullough felt himself losing grip on his life again and decided it was time to make a change, he has been clean and sober since that time. Getting married and having a little boy all within the last year, McCullough has found himself with a new dedication and drive for the sport.

“Before I was fighting just because I loved to do it and I couldn’t believe I was getting paid to do what I love, but now it’s a lot more serious,” said McCullough. “The guy that I’m fighting is trying to take food off my kid’s table. It’s entirely different now. I’ve found a new focus and a new motivation, so I’m ready to get in there and get buck wild in Bellator.”

“I’m really glad to be part of a promotion as great as Bellator. I’m ready to get back to work, and finish fights. Getting in the cage and being able to mix it up with the best of the best is what I’m in this sport for. I’ve been doing this for 15 years for a reason, and it’s to test myself against the best competition in the world. I’ll be able to do that at Bellator,” said McCullough. Similar Posts:

• Bellator signs Matt Major of TapouT fame
• Bellator Signs Featherweight Prospect Kenny ‘The Tooth Fairy’ Foster
• Kansas City open-tryout winner Stinson gets second shot at glory at Bellator 26
• Ryan McGivern joins Bellator Fighting Championships middleweight tournament
• Inverted Triangle Warning: Toby Imada returns to Bellator

PRESS RELEASE / CHICAGO, Ill. (October 14, 2010) — Huntington Beach-based knockout artist “Razor” Rob McCullough has signed an exclusive contract with Bellator Fighting Championships and will compete in the upcoming Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Tournament. The former WEC Lightweight Champion enters the promotion riding a two-fight win streak and boasts a professional record of 19-6, with 10 of those wins coming via KO or TKO. The fan favorite, due to his consistently entertaining performances, holds impressive victories over Rich Crunkilton, Nam Pham, Marcus Hicks, and most recently, UFC veteran Corey Hill.

“Razor Rob is a dangerous lightweight with championship experience who has consistently displayed an ability to end fights throughout his career,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “If you are a fan of the Lightweight division in MMA, you’ve got to be a fan of Razor’s. I’m looking forward to watching him compete in our Season 4 Lightweight Tournament.”

There is no question that it was McCullough’s life outside of the cage that made him the fighter he is today. Leaving home at age 14, he spent a large part of his adolescence on the streets of Huntington Beach, bouncing from friend’s couches and getting involved with gangs.

“I grew up with a pretty crazy family life as a kid. I separated from my family at a fairly young age,” said McCullough. “I ended up telling my Mom that I was going to the beach, and I packed my bags, knowing that I wasn’t coming back. I ended up getting mixed up in a lot of gang stuff after I left home.”

However, “Razor” eventually found security and guidance in a local kickboxing gym where he started training in 1995.

“I started thinking to myself, ‘Dude, this is not the road I pictured my life going down.’ I was packing knives and fighting all the time, and I was just like, ‘Man, this sucks.’ That’s when I started training kickboxing. Shortly after that I hooked up with Tito Ortiz, who was fighting for the UFC in its early stages, and just totally dedicated myself to training,” said McCullough. “I absolutely feel like martial arts saved my life.”

McCullough went 35-2 in his amateur kickboxing career, eventually transitioning to training MMA fulltime and going pro in 2001. McCullough rose quickly in the sport. By 2007 he amassed an eight fight win streak, eventually capturing the WEC Lightweight title. However, after winning the belt the dangerous striker admittedly lost focus and motivation, going 2-3 in his next five fights.

“I never grew up with a silver spoon in my mouth, and then all of a sudden I started making some money after becoming successful in my fighting career,” said McCullough. “I was going to clubs all the time…flying to Tokyo…hanging out at the Playboy Mansion and next thing I knew, I was completely and totally distracted from my career as a professional mixed martial artist.”

A year and a half ago McCullough felt himself losing grip on his life again and decided it was time to make a change, he has been clean and sober since that time. Getting married and having a little boy all within the last year, McCullough has found himself with a new dedication and drive for the sport.

“Before I was fighting just because I loved to do it and I couldn’t believe I was getting paid to do what I love, but now it’s a lot more serious,” said McCullough. “The guy that I’m fighting is trying to take food off my kid’s table. It’s entirely different now. I’ve found a new focus and a new motivation, so I’m ready to get in there and get buck wild in Bellator.”

“I’m really glad to be part of a promotion as great as Bellator. I’m ready to get back to work, and finish fights. Getting in the cage and being able to mix it up with the best of the best is what I’m in this sport for. I’ve been doing this for 15 years for a reason, and it’s to test myself against the best competition in the world. I’ll be able to do that at Bellator,” said McCullough. Similar Posts:

• Bellator signs Matt Major of TapouT fame
• Bellator Signs Featherweight Prospect Kenny ‘The Tooth Fairy’ Foster
• Kansas City open-tryout winner Stinson gets second shot at glory at Bellator 26
• Ryan McGivern joins Bellator Fighting Championships middleweight tournament
• Guess who’s back? Dana White welcomes Tito Ortiz back to the UFC

LEMOORE, Calif. - Former WEC lightweight champion "Razor" Rob
McCullough returned to the site of his first professional MMA
contest in Lemoore, Calif., and earned a much-needed stoppage win over
current Tachi Palace Fights featherweight champion Isaac de Jesus.

The 160-pound catchweight contest served as the main event of Friday
night's "Tachi Palace Fights 5: Stars & Strikes" event at the Tachi
Palace Hotel & Casino.

MMAjunkie.com lead staff reporter John Morgan was on
hand as part of the broadcast team for the GoFightLive.tv stream.

LEMOORE, Calif. - MMAjunkie.com was on scene for today's "Tachi Palace Fights 5:
Stars & Strikes" official fighter weigh-ins in Lemoore, Calif.

Today's weigh-in ceremonies took place at the Tachi Palace Hotel and
Casino, the same site as Friday night's GoFightLive.tv-broadcast fight
card.

Main-event competitors Isaac de Jesus and former WEC lightweight
champion "Razor" Rob McCullough, who meet in a 160-pound catchweight
affair, made their bout official, while big-show veterans John Alessio,
Cole Escovedo, David Kaplan, Gabe Ruediger, and War Machine, as well as
top prospects Stephen Abas, David Bollea, Michael McDonald and David
Mitchell, all hit the scales, as well.

Lemoore, Calif. – John Alessio didn’t stress too much over his opponent change for Friday, July 9’s Tachi Palace Fights “Stars and Strikes” mixed martial arts show at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif.

“I definitely want to first just say that I hope (Brad) Blackburn heals up soon and that I was really looking forward to that fight. I’m very happy that Tachi Palace Fights didn’t have me sitting around waiting for an opponent and they didn’t just cut the fight. They had some one right away and I really appreciate that,” said Alessio, who will take on War Machine in the co-main event at the Palace.

War Machine (11-3) will replace Blackburn, who had to withdraw from the bout because of a cut.

“War Machine has a good record at 11-3 and won six of his last seven fights. I will be ready, but I don’t see any problems for me in this fight. I don’t see any aspect of the game that he is better than me at. He is a tough dude and probably come in swinging to take my head off.”

This will be War Machine’s final fight before he is scheduled to spend a year in a San Diego jail, according to his Twitter account. War Machine was a cast member on “The Ultimate Fighter 6″ and previously was known as Jon Koppenhaver before a legal name change.

He was arrested May 30 outside Thruster’s Lounge in San Diego under suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.

“I’m glad I got this fight. I need to make some money to leave with my wife while I’m locked up. Took this fight on very short notice, but a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do. Jail is going to suck and be so boring can’t wait to get out and fight again,” said War Machine, who last saw action May 15 when he submitted Zach Light.

“I actually trained with Alessio all last year at Xtreme Couture. He’s a well-seasoned vet, real tough with great skills. We had many good sparring sessions the last year. I remember back when I was a youngster; before I ever started fighting I saw him fight in the UFC. John was young, but did great. I thought wow this dude is going to be good,” War Machine added.

Tickets can be purchased at www.tachipalace.com or charge by phone at 1-800-225-2277. Tickets may also be purchased at the Tachi Palace Gift Shop and start at a low price of just $30 for general admission seating.

If you can’t attend the fights you can watch them live on GoFightLive.tv at 6 p.m. PST. Cost of the stream is just $9.99.

In the main event, “Razor” Rob McCullough returns to his roots at the Palace in a catch weight bout with fast-rising star Isaac DeJesus of Fresno, Calif. DeJesus (9-1). DeJesus is the Tachi Palace Fights Featherweight champ and makes the jump up in weight to take on Huntington Beach, Calif.’s McCullough (17-6) at 160 pounds.

“I see this fight being great. Lots of face punching and submission scrambles. I’m looking for an early KO, so I can grab a beer and get back to eating all the junk food I can find before going away,” War Machine said.

This fight is a lot more pivotal in the career of Alessio (28-13), who carries a 4-fight win streak into the contest.

“I’m more ready than ever to fight. I’ve really worked a lot harder than I ever have this last year and trying to get back to the UFC. I’m putting everything into this and been working so hard,” Alessio said. “This is the type of fight that I feel can really put me back in the UFC.”

The 9-bout card is also packed with three title fights, as welterweight champ David Mitchell (10-0) of Santa Rosa, Calif. defends his belt against Lemoore, Calif.’s Poppies Martinez (18-6) and bantamweight title holder Cole Escovedo (16-4) of Fresno, Calif. defends against Oakdale, Calif.’s Michael McDonald (9-1). Also, Rancho Cucamonga Calif.’s Gabe Ruediger (16-5) and Albuquerque, N.M.’s Lenny Lovato (8-0) battle for the Tachi Palace Fights vacant lightweight strap.

Also, UFC veteran David Kaplan (2-3) of Las Vegas, Nev. takes on Oakland, Calif.’s Dominique Robinson (4-4) in a lightweight tilt; Olympic Silver Medalist Stephen Abas (1-0) of Fresno, Calif. makes his return to the Palace in a bantamweight bout with Lemoore, Calif.’s Joey DeLaCruz (1-0); Las Vegas, Nev. lightweight David Bollea (2-0), who is the nephew of wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan, takes on Visalia, Calif.’s Cody Gibson (3-0); and Coalinga, Calif. bantamweight Francisco Loredo (4-5) fights Soledad, Calif.’s Drew Bittner (3-0).

Tachi Palace Fights featherweight champion Isaac de Jesus has
agreed to step up 15 pounds in weight and meet former WEC lightweight
champion "Razor" Rob McCullough in the main event of "Tachi Palace Fights 5: Stars and Strikes" on July 9 at The Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore,
Calif.

McCullough was originally expected to face Thomas Denny in the featured
bout of a card loaded with other notable competitors, but the "Wildman"
was forced to bow out of the contest for for personal reasons.

The full nine-fight card is set for broadcast on GoFightLive.com, and
MMAjunkie.com lead staff reporter John Morgan will take to the broadcast
table to help call the action.

Lemoore, Calif. – The last few times “Razor” Rob McCullough saw action at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif. he was walking away from the cage as one of the world’s top lightweights.

The Huntington Beach mixed martial artist’s brutal destruction of Randy Hauer at World Extreme Cagefighting 20 was his final bout at the Palace, but it was the world-class kickboxer’s vicious knockout of Olaf Alfonso that the fans still remember.

“It’s going to be a lot like the last time that I was out at the Palace,” said McCullough, who has won two of his last five fights in the WEC to some of the top up-and-coming fighters.

“We will get in the cage and trade. Have a fast-paced, exciting fight and I’m going to walk out with my hands high and he will be on a stretcher.”

McCullough (17-6) will make his Tachi Palace Fights debut in a 160-pound, catch-weight fight against Fresno, Calif.’s Isaac DeJesus, who grew up idolizing McCullough.

“That’s the guy I looked up to when I was coming up. A lot of guys have their heroes and their idols and Rob was that guy for me,” said DeJesus, who is the current Tachi Palace Fights World Featherweight champ.

“That’s why when I heard Tachi had signed Rob; I called Jeremy (Luchau) right away and asked for the fight. I mainly wanted to fight him out of respect and I thought it would be an honor. I didn’t care about having to come up in weight… this is just something that I wanted to do.”

DeJesus (9-1) would have to come up 15 pounds to meet McCullough, who had originally signed on to fight Thomas Denny. But when Denny pulled out due to personal reasons, DeJesus got the call.

“I probably would have never called Isaac to fight Razor had he not called me initially and asked to fight him. It’s not like having your 145-pound champ go up and fight a former lightweight champ in one of the world’s top promotions is the greatest idea,” said Tachi Palace Entertainment Coordinator Jeremy Luchau.

“But honestly, I could tell how much Isaac really wanted that fight so I gave him the opportunity and he jumped on it right away. I think it could possibly be one of the biggest fights that we’ve had at Tachi in a long, long time and that’s saying something.”

McCullough and DeJesus will main event a loaded 9-bout card that also features UFC veteran Brad Blackburn of Seattle, Wash. against Las Vegas, Nev. welterweight John Alessio. Alessio (28-13) is riding a 4-fight win streak and on the verge of breaking into the UFC. Meanwhile, Blackburn (15-11-1) has dropped two straight in the UFC after a 3-0 start on the world’s biggest stage.

“This is one of the most stacked fight cards that I’ve ever been a part of,” Tachi Palace Fights matchmaker Richard Goodman said. “From top to bottom we have exciting fights that feature former UFC and WEC stars and some of the best locals around.”

Tickets can be purchased at HYPERLINK “http://www.tachipalace.com” www.tachipalace.com or charge by phone at 1-800-225-2277. Tickets may also be purchased at the Tachi Palace Gift Shop and start at a low price of just $30 for general admission seating.

Most eyes will be centered on the main event and to see McCullough makes his return to action and which fighter shows up. He’s trying to bounce back after a split decision loss in November 2009 to Karen Darabedyan (9-2).

“I’ve been training my butt off. I started this camp 10 weeks out and I’ve been working on sharpening all my skills,” McCullough said. “It’s good to be back fighting at the Palace, I have some great memories fighting for the WEC there and I just love it there.

“I know this kid is scrappy and likes to stand in there and trade. He is coming off a knockout of Nam Phan and Nam’s a tough guy,” McCullough added.

The spotlight won’t solely be on McCullough, though.

“I’m going to have my people there from both Stockton and Fresno to watch me get in there and fight this guy,” DeJesus said. “It’s an honor just to be in there with a fighter like Rob. I’m really not that uncomfortable with the weight, because I started as a 55’er. For me to get in there and fight at my best really won’t be an issue.”

DeJesus is also coming off a minor injury that forced him to pull out a May bout against Fresno, Calif.’s Casey Olson. But DeJesus says the injury has completely healed.

“I’m doing everything the same. I’m working hard on my cardio and technique. The only thing I’m doing a little different is a little heavier lifting and sparring and rolling with a little heavier guys to help me adjust to Rob’s size. Rob will have the experience edge over me, but I’m young and hungry.”

The 9-bout card is also packed with three title fights, as welterweight champ David Mitchell (10-0) of Santa Rosa, Calif. defends his belt against Lemoore, Calif.’s Poppies Martinez (18-6) and bantamweight title holder Cole Escovedo (16-4) of Fresno, Calif. defends against Oakdale, Calif.’s Michael McDonald (9-1). Also, Rancho Cucamonga Calif.’s Gabe Ruediger (16-5) and Albuquerque, N.M.’s Lenny Lovato (8-0) battle for the Tachi Palace Fights vacant lightweight strap.

Also, grappling master Bill Cooper of Santa Barbara, Calif. makes his MMA debut against UFC veteran David Kaplan (2-3) of Las Vegas, Nev. in a lightweight tilt; Olympic Silver Medalist Stephen Abas (1-0) of Fresno, Calif. makes his return to the Palace in a bantamweight bout with Lemoore, Calif.’s Joey DeLaCruz (0-1); Las Vegas, Nev. lightweight David Bollea (2-0), who is the nephew of wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan, takes on Visalia, Calif.’s Cody Gibson (3-0); and Coalinga, Calif. bantamweight Francisco Loredo (4-5) fights Soledad, Calif.’s Drew Bittner (3-0).

The Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif., birthplace of the
WEC, plays host to a familiar face as former WEC lightweight champion
"Razor" Rob McCullough headlines the newest edition of Tachi
Palace Fights.

McCullough faces King of the Cage and EliteXC veteran Thomas Denny in the featured bout of Tachi Palace Fights 5 on July 9.

In Tachi Palace Fights' most talent-laden card to date, the event
features notables John Alessio, Brad Blackburn, Cole Escovedo, David
Kaplan, David Mitchell, Gabe Ruediger and the MMA debut of grappling
wizard Bill Cooper.

The Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif., birthplace of the
WEC, plays host to a familiar face as former WEC lightweight champion
"Razor" Rob McCullough headlines the newest edition of Tachi
Palace Fights.

McCullough faces King of the Cage and EliteXC veteran Thomas Denny in the featured bout of Tachi Palace Fights 5 on July 9.

In Tachi Palace Fights' most talent-laden card to date, the event
features notables John Alessio, Brad Blackburn, Cole Escovedo, David
Kaplan, David Mitchell, Gabe Ruediger and the MMA debut of grappling
wizard Bill Cooper.