Joey Karate has decided to join the UFC, signing with the promotion’s official roster.
The 33-year-old Canadian fighter, who trained under Joe Silva, announced his decision in a video posted to Twitter Monday, saying he was looking forward to fighting on a world stage.
“I am so excited to join UFC’s official world team,” Karate said in the video.
“I have always dreamed of competing at the highest level and I am looking forward the challenge.
I am a proud Canadian and I will always cherish this opportunity to be part of the UFC.”
Karate had a short stint in the UFC with the organization in 2014 and has been with it since 2016.
He was last seen competing against Urijah Faber in February of that year.
Karate made his UFC debut in May of last year, defeating Daniel Straus in just the second round in the main event of UFC Fight Night 53.KARATE’S CAREER KARATE has competed in eight different promotions, including the UFC (2006-2010), Cage Warriors (2011-2014), K-1 Fighting Championship (2015), Bellator MMA (2016-present) and Bellator Bantamweight Championship (2018-present).
He has competed against top competition in Bellator, Cage Warriors, K-2 and Bellators Bantamweights.KARAY has been a member of the world’s most respected martial arts system for more than two decades, having fought at various levels in all three branches of the Japanese martial arts.
He holds five UFC and Bellativ record-breaking world titles and holds four of the top five on the all-time rankings.