Georges St. Pierre protégé and training partner Mike Ricci signs with Bellator Fighting Championships

Before the ink has even dried on the recent contract of 145-pound standout Bao Quach, Bellator Fighting Championships announced today that up-and-coming lightweight Mike Ricci (5-0) will join their growing roster and likely debut in Spring 2010. The undefeated 23-year-old trains alongside current UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre under Firas Zahabi at the TriStar gym in Montreal. He's competed in the Ringside MMA and TKO Major League MMA banners, among others. From Ricci: "What’s made me improve so much in a short period of time is helping guys like Cote and GSP in their training camps. It’s also helped my confidence. When you set a goal of being a world champion, it may seem far-fetched—but not when you train alongside guys who’ve already achieved that. I really pride myself on my defense. I think I’ve only been hit like twice in my whole career. I think that really separates me from my competition. I’ve gotten to the poi...