Date Set For Matt Mitrione vs Ryan Bader Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix Semi-Final

The first of the two Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix Semi-Finals has a date set with Matt Mitrione taking on Ryan Bader on October 12 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville.

The bout was announced today via a Bellator press release which stated that tickets will go on sale later this week on Friday.

Bader (25-5) defeated Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal in the first round of the Grand Prix at Bellator 199 earlier this year. The American is currently riding a five fight win streak with victories over Ilir Latifi and Antônio Rogério Nogueira to finish up his UFC contract, and then wins over Phil Davis, Linton Vassell and Lawal in Bellator. Bader is the current Bellator light heavyweight champion and will be looking to continue on his quest for a second title when he faces Mitrione on Oct. 12.

Mitrione (13-5) is coming off the back of a decision victory Roy Nelson in the first round of the tournament. Whilst the win didn’t bring him many plaudits, Mitrione put the rest of the Bellator heavyweight division on notice when he defeated Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator NYC in June last year via first round knockout. Mitrione is one of two legitimate heavyweight fighters left in the tournament and with Emelianenko and Sonnen on the other side of the bracket, Mitrione will likely head into the final the favourite if he can defeat Bader in October.

No other bouts have yet been announced for the event.