World Grand Prix to decide Bellator champ

Bellator MMA will crown a new heavyweight champion in 2018, but rather than a simple title fight to fill the vacant slot, the promotion has put together a tournament featuring a bevy of mixed martial arts superstars.

Bellator President Scott Coker told USA TODAY that the company will host an eight-man heavyweight tournament known as the Bellator MMA World Grand Prix 2018, with the winner earn- ing the Bellator championship belt.

“This is going to be something that’s iconic for us,” Coker said. “Tournaments, traditionally, are kind of the way martial arts contests happen. Now we get to put eight iconic brand names in our sport together over a year, and then whoever wins will be crowned the heavyweight champion.”

The eight contestants include some of the organization’s most recognizable heavyweights, including former PRIDE champ Fedor Emelianenko (36-5), twotime former UFC champ Frank Mir (1811), Matt Mitrione (12-5) and Roy Nelson (23-14).

Additionally, four light heavyweight superstars are moving up a division for a chance at heavyweight gold with current Bellator champ Ryan Bader (24-5), former UFC champ Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (37-12), Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal (21-6) and Chael Sonnen (29-15-1) also confirmed for the Grand Prix.

“I think there are certain fights that people want to see,” Coker said. “Believe me, we’re going to have some amazing matchups in this tournament.”

Bellator’s heavyweight championship has been vacant since May 2016.