Bellator welterweight grand prix set for first title fight
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Bellator welterweight grand prix started seven months ago. But for the first time, the title is on the line Saturday when the promotion returns to SAP Center.
170-pound champion Rory MacDonald will attempt his first defense and attempt to advance in an eight-man tournament that’s unique for its stakes. Should he be successful, MacDonald will notch three title defenses and rule over a field of top talent that includes four fighters in the USA TODAY/MMA Junkie welterweight rankings.
If that isn’t enough, he’ll be $1 million richer thanks to rapper 50 Cent, who’s putting up the jackpot for the tournament winner. It’s the second such prize in the past year after the Professional Fighters League splashed onto the scene with seven-figure tournaments.
MacDonald’s opponent, Jon Fitch, vacated the PFL welterweight title to sign with Bellator, so he didn’t get to cash those checks. He aims to right that wrong and told USA TODAY “there’s a movie in there somewhere” if he can beat his former UFC colleague at age 41.
“I just want to take it one fight at a time to put my best effort in and win this tournament,” Fitch said.
Fitch (31-7-1 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) was well into his big-league career when MacDonald, now 29, walked into the picture. The two never crossed paths in the UFC octagon despite their opposing talents. A grinding wrestler, Fitch won eight fights before an unsuccessful bid for the UFC welterweight title. MacDonald, meanwhile, developed a reputation as a technician unafraid of a bloody brawl. He got his shot after a 9-2 run and won accolades for one of the most brutal title fights ever in a losing effort against now-former champ Robbie Lawler.
MacDonald (20-5, 2-1) doesn’t know why they haven’t fought before, but he’s happy to make up for lost time. “He’s fought everyone, and he’s got a very high win ratio,” he told USA TODAY. “When he was in the UFC, he was beating everyone. So, yeah, he’d be up there with the better fighters I’ve fought.”
The winner will advance to the semifinals against undefeated submission ace Neiman Gracie, the nephew of MMA forefather Renzo Gracie.