Corey Anderson signs with Bellator

Corey Anderson has found a new home.

The former UFC light heavyweight contender signed with Bellator, company president Scott Coker announced Friday. It's a multi-fight deal, sources told ESPN's Ariel Helwani.

Anderson had multiple fights left on his contract with the UFC, Helwani added. But the 30-year-old recently asked for and received his release from the promotion.

"This was a mutual decision between Corey and the UFC," manager Ali Abdelaziz said, according to Helwani. "I'd like to thank the UFC and Bellator, everyone involved. This entire process took less than two hours to work through, and we're grateful to both promotions."

"Overtime" is coming off a knockout loss to Jan Blachowicz in the UFC Rio Rancho main event in February. Prior to that, he was riding a four-fight winning streak, including a finish of prospect Johnny Walker.

Jon Jones, the UFC light heavyweight champion, was cageside for the Blachowicz-Anderson fight, and a win for the latter likely would've earned him a title shot. Anderson leaves the UFC as the No. 4-ranked fighter at 205 pounds.

Anderson will likely be a standout contender in Bellator's light heavyweight weight class. UFC veteran Ryan Bader is the current champion, and he's scheduled to defend his belt against Vadim Nemkov on Aug. 21.