SANTA MONICA, Calif. (May 11, 2015) – Bellator MMA is proud to announce the signing of one of mixed martial art’s most sought-after prospects, Ed Ruth. A dominant and decorated collegiate wrestler, Ruth joins Bellator MMA with an exclusive, multi-fight deal.

The 25-year-old’s focus is currently set on the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, where the general consensus is that he will be a shoo-in to compete in the 86kg. division.

“I’ve known for a long time now that after I get Olympic gold around my neck, I was going to go get some MMA gold for my waist,” said the phenom Ruth.  “I’ve been talking with all the major organizations, and at the end of the day, I really believe in what Scott Coker is doing with Bellator. They’re signing the top talent, they’re putting on exciting fights, and they’re letting me secure my own sponsors. It will be a little while until I step into the cage for the first time — but when I do, everyone they put in front of me is in for a world of hurt.”

Ruth attended High School at Blair Academy in Susquehanna Township, PA, where he was the top-ranked recruit in Nation for his weight class.  Ruth would elect to stay local and attend wrestling powerhouse Penn State University. The masterful grappler added three National Championships and four All-American accolades to his trophy room while wrestling with the Penn State University’s Nittany Lions.

The three-time national champion joins blue-chip amateur wrestling prospect Aaron Pico on the roster. Both competitors will turn their focus to MMA following the Olympic Games next year. When the time comes, Ruth will be competing in Bellator’s middleweight division alongside current title-holder Brandon Halsey, Kendall Grove, Rafael Carvalho, Joe Schilling, Alexander Shlemenko, Melvin Manhoef, amongst others.