Bellator MMA will launch another grand prix tournament later this year, according to company president Scott Coker.
An eight-man welterweight tournament will kick off at an event on Sept. 29 in San Jose, California, Coker told ESPN. The Los Angeles Times first reported the news.
“Bellator has the best welterweight fighters in the world,” Coker said. “We’ll follow the blueprint of the heavyweight grand prix, which has been a big piece of business for Bellator worldwide. World grand prix has also been a ratings hit, and our social numbers have blown it out of the water. It’s been amazing storytelling for us in 2018.”
According to Coker, no official tournament invites have been sent. The promotion should be able to announce the entire field by mid-July.
Current champion Rory MacDonald is scheduled to challenge middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi at the Sept. 29 event, before joining the tournament field on a later date.
Bellator is currently in the midst of promoting its Heavyweight World Grand Prix, which began in January. The semifinals are comprised of Fedor Emelianenko, Chael Sonnen, Matt Mitrione and Ryan Bader. Bellator has not yet announced dates for the semifinal bouts.
The 170-pound welterweight division is arguably one of Bellator’s deepest weight classes. It includes England’s Paul Daley (40-16-2) and Michael Page (13-0), as well as former champion Douglas Lima (29-7). Andrey Koreshkov (20-2) is another likely candidate, although he already has a fight scheduled on July 14.