Bellator MMA to Hold 16-Man Featherweight Grand Prix Beginning in October

Bellator MMA will kick off a 16-man featherweight grand prix this fall.

The promotion announced during a press conference in London on Tuesday that the 145-pound bracket will begin in October, with the eight first-round fights taking place on one card. Bellator President Scott Coker revealed that the grand prix winner will receive $1 million and that he hopes to complete the tournament by the end of 2019.

For now, it is unclear if reigning featherweight champion Patricio Freire will take part in the grand prix. Freire is moving up to lightweight to challenge reigning champion Michael Chandler at Bellator 221 on May 11.

Some of the top competitors in Bellator’s featherweight division include A.J. McKee, Henry Corrales, Aaron Pico, Darrion Caldwell, Emmanuel Sanchez, Daniel Straus, Leandro Higo and Pat Curran, among others.

Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald is currently taking part in the California-based organization’s 170-pound bracket, and his title will be on the line against Jon Fitch in a quarterfinal matchup on April 27. Douglas Lima, Michael Page and Neiman Gracie have already advanced to the semifinals of the tournament.

Bellator also held a heavyweight grand prix last year, with Ryan Bader defeating Fedor Emelianenko to capture the vacant crown this past January.