Bellator announce star studded Heavyweight Grand Prix for 2018:

Bellator will finally crown a new Heavyweight king.
Scott Coker's Bellator have confirmed the introduction of an 8 man Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament for 2018, featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Muhammed 'King Mo' Lawal, former UFC contenders Roy Nelson, Matt Mitrione, Chael Sonnen, Frank Mir, recently signed Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson and current Light Heavyweight champion, Ryan Bader. The Heavyweight crown was stripped from Russia's Vitaly Minakov back in 2016 due to inactivity, failing to defend the title once since his 2014 decision victory over Cheick Kongo. Unlike a traditional PRIDE tourney, the Grand Prix will be held throughout 2018, with the winners from each matchup, yet to be confirmed, qualifying to the next round.

A major coup for the American organisation, Fedor 'The Last Emperor' Emelianenko will make second appearance for the promotion in the tournament, failing to mark his debut with a victory. losing via first round knockout to Matt Mitrione at the Bellator NYC pay-per-view. The Russian Heavyweight is widely regarded by many as the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, defeating opponents like, Kevin Randleman, Mirko Cro Cop, Andrei Arlovski, Matt Lindland, Mark Coleman, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Ricardo Arona and Semmy Schilt over an illustrious 17 year career.

Former RIZIN Heavyweight Grand Prix victor Muhammed 'King Mo' Lawal, is certainly no stranger to the bracket/tourney type system, most recently defeating 'Rampage' Jackson after a knockout defeat to the returning Mirko Cro Cop at the RIZIN World Grand-Prix back in 2016. Lawal has since then returned to Bellator in an anti climactic meeting with Jackson, but has an impressive background in the sport. With notable wins over Gegard Mousasi, Mark Kerr, Roger Gracie, Cheick Kongo and recent title challenger Linton Vassell, 'King Mo' may very well find himself amongst the favourites for the upcoming Heavyweight title decider.

With a debuting win over Javy Ayala, The Ultimate Fighter Heavyweights: victor Roy 'Big Country' Nelson, has bounced back from a decision defeat to Alexander Volkov. With some of the most iconic knockouts and heaviest hands in MMA history, 'Big Country' has starched the likes of 'Bigfoot' Silva, 'Minotauro' Nogueira, Brendan Schaub and Stefan Struve to name a few.

Matt 'Meathead' Mitrione is arguably coming off his most impressive victory in his career, stopping the aformentioned Emelianenko, but has also dispatched the likes of Derrick 'The Black Beast' Lewis, Gabriel Gonzaga and the late Kimbo Slice.

A former three time UFC title challenger Chael 'The American Gangster' Sonnen, avenged a recent loss to Tito Ortiz at Ballator NYC as he picked up a decision win over long time foe and fellow Ultimate Fighter coach Wanderlei Silva. the 40 year-old has impressively beaten the likes of 'Shogun' Rua, former Middleweight champ Michael Bisping, Nate 'The Great' Marquardt, UFC colour commentator Brian Stann, Yushin Okami, and 'Babalu'.

A one time UFC Heavyweight champion, Frank Mir, will make his promotion debut in the 2018 tournament in his first MMA appearance since his walk off knockout defeat to former Interim Heavyweight title challenger Mark Hunt. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt has submitted fierce foe Brock Lesnar, 'Minotauro' Nogueria, Cheick Kongo, Tim Slyvia and Antoni Hardonk as well as knocking out the aforementioned Cro Cop and Todd Duffee.

Another former UFC Light Heavyweight title holder makes his impression on the monumental Grand Prix, as the recently rejoined 'Rampage' Jackson will make his fifth walk under the the Bellator banner. The polarising figure holds some of the most iconic finishes in the history of MMA, slamming Ricardo Arona unconscious back in PRIDE, starching both Wanderlei Silva, Chuck Liddell and Marvin Eastman in one of the most entertaining careers of all time.

Finally, current Light Heavyweight champ and probable tournament favourite Ryan 'Darth' Bader has really claimed the 205lbs Bellator division as his own since his Bellator NYC debut. Bader was expected to be granted a well overdue UFC title shot after two brutal wins over Ilir Latifi and Antonio Nogueira, but signed with with Coker's Bellator at the expiration of his contract. Bader has also overthrown Rashad Evans, OSP and former Bellator Light Heavyweight kingpin and two time foe, Phil 'Mr. Wonderful' Davis.

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