ESPN’s “SportsCenter” revealed the bracket for Bellator MMA Heavyweight World Grand Prix. Here’s a look at the matchups..
Quinton Jackson vs. Chael Sonnen
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Frank Mir
Matt Mitrione vs. Roy Nelson
Ryan Bader vs. Muhammed Lawal
Jackson (37-12) vs. Sonnen (29-15-1) will kick things off at Bellator 192, which takes place Jan. 20 at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The winner of that matchup will face the winner of Emelianenko (36-5) vs. Mir (18-11) in the first semifinal. Meanwhile the winner of Mitrione (12-5) vs. Nelson (23-14) will face the Bader (24-5) vs. Lawal (21-6) winner..
No alternatves in the tournament have been named just yet but welterweight standout Rory MacDonald and former UFC title challenger Shawn Carwin have thrown their names out on social media..
The winner of the tournament will capture the vacant heavyweight title, which hasn’t been held since May 2016 when the promotion stripped former champion Vitaly Minakov.
