· Bellator Adds Adam Schindler To Featherweight Summer Series Tournament

Strikeforce and Bellator veteran Adam Schindler joins the Bellator featherweight tournament this summer, according to an announcement from the promotion earlier today. The eight-man, three-event competition is scheduled to begin at Bellator 46, June 25, and will broadcast live on MTV2 from the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Fla.

A two-time West Virginia state wrestling champion, and former Air Force serviceman, Schindler began his professional mixed martial arts career with a submission win in August of 2008. Now at 9-1, with a six-fight win streak, Schindler makes his first foray into the featherweight division.

“I'm just ready to get in that cage and win,” an excited Schindler stated. “This is the time where I take the step from everyone around me knowing how good I am, to everyone seeing how good I am all across the country. This is my chance to shine.”

Schindler last fought for the International Xtreme Fight Association in December of 2010, defeating Marc Ramirez via split decision. He has one previous appearance under the Bellator banner, Bellator 20 last May, where he picked up the unanimous decision against Brian Melancon. Schindler has six submission victories to his credit and has yet to be finished himself.

Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney added his approval of Schindler’s inclusion. “Adam was impressive at Bellator 20, and he makes a great addition to this stacked featherweight tournament,” he stated.

Other confirmed tournament participants include previous lightweight tournament winner Pat Curran (13-4), Sengoku veteran and Bellator 42 winner Ronnie “Kid Ninja” Mann (19-2-1), and heavy-hitting Brazilian Marlon Sandro (17-2).

After coming up short in five unrelenting rounds with the Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez at Bellator 39 this April, Curran makes the drop to his natural weight class. “I’ve fought at featherweight for most of my career, so I’m really excited to get back to a weight class where I can really do some damage,” said Curran. “I had some great results as a lightweight, but I’m really going to make some noise in this summer featherweight tournament.”

Additional tournament fighter announcements are expected soon.