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Heavyweights in MMA are known to be the most dangerous men in the world and none more so than the champion of the division. It just so happens that this piece of the MMA puzzle has been missing for Bellator since Vitaly Minakov was stripped of the Heavyweight Championship in May 2016. The division lost its charm and there was nothing to look forward to until the championship picture was cleared.
With some 'big' acquisitions in 2017, Bellator has finally laid the roadmap to crown it's new Heavyweight Champion by hosting the Bellator MMA World Grand Prix 2018 which will include 8 of the biggest draws in the division competing in a knockout tournament throughout the year with the final slated to take place in December 2018.
The bracket for the tournament has been announced and following are the first round of matches:
Quinton Jackson (37-12 MMA, 4-1 BMMA) vs Chael Sonnen (29-15-1 MMA, 1-1 BMMA)
Fedor Emelianenko (36-5 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) vs Frank Mir (18-11 MMA, 0-0 BMMA)
Matt Mitrione (12-5 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) vs Roy Nelson (23-14 MMA, 1-0 BMMA)
Ryan Bader (24-5 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) vs Muhammad Lawal (21-6 MMA, 10-4 BMMA)
Quinton Jackson and Chael Sonnen will get things started when they meet in the Bellator cage on January 20 with the winner facing the winner of the Emelianenko - Mir fight who themselves will get it on in April.
Mitrione and Nelson will slug it out for a spot in the semi-final on the February 16 event. The final fight will see current Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Ryan Bader take on 'King Mo' Lawal in May.
Most of the men involved in this tournament were darlings of the fans at some point or other in their careers and to see them have another shot at glory is something that should not be missed out on. With potential alternates like Shane Carwin, Bobby Lashley and Cheick Kongo being discussed, 2018 is gonna be a good year for MMA fans hoping for some mean knockouts and bone breaking submissions.
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