Bellator Announce Heavyweight Tournament Bracket And Opening Matchups

It’s going to be a big year for Bellator in 2018 and if all things go to plan, they will crown a new heavyweight champion.

Two weeks ago, Bellator announced that they would be holding an 8-man tournament to decide who will lay claim to their vacant heavyweight title.

Earlier today on SportsCenter, the opening matchups were revealed and the tournament bracket was officially published for the first time.

Just announced on @SportsCenter: The Heavyweight World Grand Prix bracket is set and kicks off Jan 20th in LA with @ChaelSonnen vs @Rampage4real!! pic.twitter.com/jEB9pPg4wD

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) November 23, 2017

The tournament will begin on Jan 20. when Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will take on Chael Sonnen at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

On Feb. 16, Matt Mitrione will then take on Roy Nelson at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Fedor Emelianenko will then take on Frank Mir in April at the Allstate Arena in in Rosemont, Illinois.

The last opening round match will then take place in May when the current Bellator light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader takes on Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal.

No alternates have been officially announced, but Rory MacDonald and Shane Carwin have both made it public via social media that they would like to be considered as a replacement should one of the original participants suffer an injury or be unable to fight.