WINNER TO BE CROWNED NEW BELLATOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION

Los Angeles – Bellator has announced plans to host a year-long grand prix heavyweight tournament in 2018 featuring eight of the roster’s biggest stars with the winner becoming the new Bellator world heavyweight champion. The Bellator MMA World Grand Prix 2018 Heavyweight Tournament will air on the soon-to-launch Paramount Network.

The star-studded list of participants includes newly signed Quinton "akufalikira" Jackson (37-12), Roy Nelson (23-14), Chael Sonnen (30-15-1),Frank Mir (18-11), “King Mo” (21-6, 1 NC), Fedor Emelianenko (36-5, 1 NC), Mat Mitrione (12-5) and Bellator light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader (24-5).

Spanning multiple events and locations throughout 2018, the three-round tournament allows for matchups never before thought possible and will ultimately crown a new Bellator heavyweight champion. Poyamba, Bellator President Scott Coker orchestrated the most recent successful heavyweight tournament in mixed martial arts with the STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight Grand Prix that spanned from 2011-12.

Matchups, dates and locations for the single-elimination grand prix will be determined shortly, as will tournament alternates who will be available to fill in due to any unforeseen circumstances.

A five-fight veteran of Bellator MMA, “Rampage’s” legendary career has seen him compete against some of the top names in the sport, generating a loyal army of fans along the way. The former PRIDE and UFC champion is the proud owner of many epic highlight reel slams and knockouts that he has racked up throughout his epic battles with the likes of Chuck Liddell, Dan Henderson, “King Mo,” Kevin Randleman and, perhaps most-notably, his trilogy with fellow Bellator athlete Wanderlei Silva.

Kulimbana kuchokera Las Vegas, Roy Nelson made his Bellator debut earlier this year with a hard-fought victory over Javy Ayala following an eight-year, 19-fight run with UFC that saw him earn wins over Mirko Cro Cop, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, “Bigfoot” Silva and Cheick Kongo. “Big Country” also memorably defeated the late Kimbo kagawo and later went on to win season 10 a Chapamwamba Wankhondo. Ndi 19 wake 22 ntchito Kuwina kubwera njira ya knockout kapena kugonjera, the long-time fan-favorite looks to add a championship to his impressive resume.

Chael Sonnen spent a majority of his 44-fight career with the UFC and WEC, a run that saw him defeat former middleweight champion Michael Bisping, and compete against the likes of Jon Jones, Anderson Silva (kawiri), Rashad Evans, “Shogun” Rua, Demian Maia and Brian Stann. In addition to his in-ring action, the West Linn, Ore. native has mastered the art of being in front of the camera, having done broadcast work for both ESPN and Fox Sports. Following a three-year hiatus from active MMA competition, Sonnen returned to the cage against Tito Ortiz pa Bellator 170 in January and then went on to defeat Wanderlei Silva in the main event of Bellator: NYC.

Frank Mir anagwirizana Bellator kale chaka chino otsatirawa 15 years under in the UFC where he became a two-time world champion, anasonkhana 16 victories and defeated the who’s who of heavyweight contenders, kuphatikizapo Brock Lesnar, "Bigfoot" Silva, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Roy Nelson. Kulimbana kuchokera Las Vegas, Mir anapereka limasimba pamene kupikisana ndi Kukwezeleza zake zakale, anatsindika ndi ndewu kwambiri (27), zipambano (16), ndipo zoperekedwa (8) mu mbiri woposa onse. Ndi 14 wake 18 ntchito Kuwina kubwera njira ya knockout kapena kugonjera, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt will now try his hand in Bellator’s heavyweight division.

“King Mo” will again fight at heavyweight and look to build off his success within the division following recent wins against Satoshi Ishii and Cheick Kongo. A winner in nine out of his last 11 ndewu, the 36-year-old will look to claim heavyweight gold in 2018 and add to his championship collection that already includes a STRIKEFORCE light heavyweight title. The “Moneyweight” fighter owns additional wins over Linton Vassell, Gegard Mousasi, Roger Gracie and has split a pair of bouts with “Rampage” Jackson with their series tied at one win each.

A ngwazi kale KUNYADA, "The Mfumu Last" ndi chimodzi mwa zinthu akulemekezedwa ndi kulemekezedwa omenyana woposa onse a masewera waona. Stone yachisoni ndi bata, Emelianenko modzitama chimodzi mwa zinthu zochititsa chidwi milozo unbeaten m'mbiri ya MMA, osataya podwala pakati 2001 ndipo 2009. A Mipikisano nthawi dziko ngwazi mu MMA ndi Sambo, Fedor posachedwapa anabwerera masewera patapita hiatus mwachidule, accumulating two decisive wins since his return to action and competing against Matt Mitrione in an instant classic at Bellator: NYC.

Matt Mitrione remains poised to make an impact in the Bellator heavyweight division following three knockout wins since signing with Bellator in 2016, including a first-round KO of Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator NYC this June. The Illinois native and standout defensive end at Purdue University earned All-Big Ten honors in 2000 and subsequently earned his way into the NFL where he played six seasons as a member of the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings. Mitrione ultimately found his way into MMA where he became a high-level competitor, defeating the likes of the late Kimbo Slice, Derrick Lewis and Gabriel Gonzaga.

Bader will make his third appearance for Bellator and first since defending his light heavyweight championship at Bellator 186. Fighting out of Tempe, Ariz., Bader began his professional career on an impressive run, steamrolling the competition en route to a 12-fight winning streak and winning one of the most competitive seasons of Chapamwamba Wankhondo in franchise history on Spike in 2008. “Darth” continued his path of dominance by collecting 15 over some of the 105-pound division’s top talent, including victories over former world champions Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Rashad Evans, as well as two wins over Phil Davis. Currently riding a four-fight winning streak with victories in nine of his past ten bouts, the former two-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler from Arizona State University will look to become a current two-division champion in Bellator MMA.

Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix Participants:

Bellator World Light Heavyweight Champion Ryan Bader (24-5)

Fedor Emelianenko (36-5, 1 NC)

Quinton "akufalikira" Jackson (37-12)

“King Mo” Lawal (21-6, 1 NC)

Frank Mir (18-11)

Mat Mitrione (12-5)

Roy Nelson (23-14)

Chael Sonnen (30-15-1)

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