Bellator’s Joe Schilling is turning his attention away from kickboxing and back onto MMA – for now, at least.

Schilling (2-5 MMA, 1-2 BMMA) is one of the most highly ranked and skilled kickboxers in the world but has never been shy with his frustrations about how little promotion and exposure the sport gets in North America.

Although Schilling thrived in Bellator Kickboxing, GLORY and other organizations, he said the financial opportunities just aren’t there, especially compared to what’s available in MMA.

“I want to keep progressing financially,” Schilling said on the “JRE MMA Show” podcast with host Joe Rogan. “Money motivates me a lot, and I think I’ve reached the ceiling of the sport (in kickboxing), so to speak. MMA’s here right next door. It makes sense.”

The move back to MMA will mark Schilling’s third stint in the sport. He went 1-3 in his initial run back in 2008, then went just 1-2 during his second run under the Bellator banner in 2014-2015. His one win over Melvin Manhoef at Bellator 131 in November 2014, however, was a “Knockout of the Year” candidate by MMAjunkie.

Despite not having fought in MMA for more than three years, Schilling said he’s still training regularly and has superior skills than the last time he competed in the sport. He said he could potentially return to kickboxing in the future for one-off opportunities, but right now his focus is to get in the Bellator cage in August or September.

“I want to make big fights and as much money as I can before retiring,” Schilling said. “You can’t just quit. You’ve got to find ways to market yourself and get as much attention as possible in the space that you have. I don’t think kickboxing is going to get me there.”

For more on the Bellator schedule, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.