Silva (photo via Bellator)

By FCF Staff

Bellator has announced that it has added Renovacao Fight Team bantamweight Rafael “Morcego” Silva to its roster. The Luta Livre brown belt makes his way into the promotion riding a nine fight win streak, which includes five wins via first round knockout or TKO.

“Signing with Bellator is by far the best thing that ever happened to me,” Silva was quoted saying in a press release from the promotion. “It’s a chance of showing the world what I can do inside the cage. My manager always tells me how great of an atmosphere Bellator has and I can’t wait to be part of it.”

“My goal is be the Bellator Bantamweight Champion and to serve as an example for all the poor children in the world so they can realize that they can have a great future in MMA,” Silva added, who trains with the likes of Maiquel “Big Rig” Falcao, Ricardo Tirloni, Genair da Silva and Luis Nogueira.

Since Silva began competing professionally in 2005, the bantamweight has put together a record of 17-3.

“Marcelo Brigadeiro’s RFT is developing a spectacular group of Brazilian fighters,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “Rafael joins Big Rig, Ricardo, Genair and Luis who are all further establishing Luta Livre’s position in the MMA world.”

No information regarding the fighter’s Bellator debut was announced.