James Haskell has signed for MMA promotion Bellator Credit: Bellator MMA. Former England rugby union international James Haskell will make his professional mixed martial arts debut on May 16. Former England rugby star James Haskell is set to transition into MMA, Bellator announced on Thursday. James Haskell, the former England rugby international and I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! And now he will enter the cage competing in the heavyweight division in the Mixed Martial Arts combat sport. Haskell called time on his 17-year rugby career in May 2019. James Haskell won 77 caps for England. Source: Getty Images“I’m dedicating my life to this.

contestant has learned the date of his first MMA fight. James Haskell (born 2 April 1985) is an English former rugby union player who played for Wasps RFC and Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership, and internationally for England.In August 2019 he announced he would become a professional mixed martial artist and is currently signed to Bellator MMA, where he is to compete in their Heavyweight division. The MMA organisation made … James Gallagher vs. Cal Ellenor, James Haskell’s MMA debut official for Bellator London in May New, 7 comments By Guilherme Cruz @guicruzzz Feb 20, 2020, 7:30am EST James Haskell in action for England against Wales in 2011 (Mitchell Gunn-USA TODAY Sports) The crossover appeal of a former rugby star taking up MMA is manna from heaven for Bellator in the U.K., who are already experiencing an uptick in interest from mainstream media outlets. The event takes place at the SSE Arena Wembley on Saturday May 16 … James Haskell is having a crack at MMA. Former England international rugby star James Haskell will make his Bellator MMA professional debut at London's SSE Arena on Saturday, May 16. The 34-year-old called time on his rugby career earlier this year, after 17 years in the game and 77 caps for England. James Haskell's record and stats, plus video clips and full fight videos. Former England rugby player James Haskell hits hard, likes his jiu-jitsu, and will be ready to fight MMA 'sooner rather than later,' according to his Bellator boss Alan Dawson 2019-10-31T16:31:51Z Wednesday 26 February 2020 15:34, UK American MMA promotion Bellator will return to London in mid-May with former England rugby star James Haskell set to make his fighting debut. After a stellar 17-year professional rugby career Haskell will trade scrum caps for MMA gloves, with the 34-year-old set to make his professional MMA debut in the first half of 2020. James Haskell adjusting to mentality change from rugby to Bellator MMA "For me, the training has become very real, the sparring has become very real." Former England rugby union international James Haskell has signed a deal to fight with mixed martial arts promotion Bellator MMA. James Haskell adjusting to mentality change from rugby to Bellator MMA "For me, the training has become very real, the sparring has become very real." Haskell, who has followed MMA for years as a fan, is still a novice in a complex and savage sport.