The field for the Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix has been set. On Monday, Aug. 6, Bellator MMA announced the full field for its welterweight tournament which includes a field of UFC veterans and former Bellator champions. Current 170-pound titleholder Rory MacDonald is also in the field and will be making an official title defense every time he steps into the cage.
MacDonald is matched up against fellow UFC veteran Jon Fitch in the opening round. The winner of that bout will advance with the belt to take on the winner of a Neiman Gracie and former Penn State wrestling standout Ed Ruth; both fighters are currently undefeated.
On the opposite side of the bracket, former Bellator champions Douglas Lima and Andrey Koreshkov will do battle, while the second matchup is between English rivals Paul Daley and Michael “Venom” Page. The two men have been calling for a bout with each other for months, and they will finally get the opportunity to do battle in the cage with a spot in the tournament semifinals on the line.
Lorenz Larkin vs. Yaroslav Amosov will serve as the alternate bout.
The tournament will officially kick off on Sept. 29 at Bellator 206 when Koreshkov and Lima go head-to-head.
The full list of matchups and the Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix bracket can be seen below.
Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix Bracket
Bellator MMA- Champ Rory MacDonald vs. Jon Fitch
- Neiman Gracie vs. Ed Ruth
- Douglas Lima vs. Andrey Koreshkov
- Paul Daley vs. Michael “Venom” Page
- Lorenz Larkin vs. Yaroslav Amosov — alternate bout
