One of two Bellator heavyweight grand prix semifinals has a date and location.
The promotion today announced that Matt Mitrione and Ryan Bader will headline an event set for Oct. 12 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card will air and stream live on Paramount and DAZN, respectively, with prelims on MMAjunkie.
Mitrione (13-5 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) vs. Bader (25-5 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) is the first semifinal of the tournament that will culminate with the crowning of a new Bellator heavyweight champion. The other side of the bracket features Fedor Emelianenko vs. Chael Sonnen. Bellator has yet to announce a date and location for the latter matchup.
“We’re trying to keep it in close proximity,” Coker told MMAjunkie following Bellator 201 earlier this month. “I want both of the semifinals to happen close together.”
Bader, 35, continues his pursuit of becoming the first simultaneous two-division champion in Bellator history.
Bader, the reigning light heavyweight title holder, scored a 15-second knockout win over Muhammed Lawal in his opening-round bout at Bellator 199 in May. Looking to stop Bader from making history is Mitrione, 39, who defeated Roy Nelson by majority decision at Bellator 194 in February to advance.
Full story here:
Ryan Bader vs. Matt Mitrione Bellator grand prix semifinal set for Oct. 12
