Bellator officials confirmed the news to MMA Fighting on Wednesday following an initial report from MMA Junkie.
With a 9-0-1 record, Watanabe joins Bellator with an impressive resume and a background in judo, where she was previously an Olympic qualifier in her native Japan.
In her fight career, Watanabe has earned six finishes by either knockout or submission in nine wins, including a third-round stoppage against Ilara Joanne in a crossover fight with Bellator this past December.
She has competed in both RIZIN and DEEP Jewels during her career after making her transition into MMA in 2017.
There is no word yet when Watanabe will make her debut with the promotion, but she joins a thriving flyweight division where reigning champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane is set to defend her title on Thursday night at Bellator 254.
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