Mitrione, a competitor on Season 10 of “The Ultimate Fighter” and a 14-time UFC veteran, is 9/4 to win the bracket and capture the vacant heavyweight crown. The 39-year-old “Meathead” has kicked off his Bellator tenure with KO/TKO stoppages of Fedor Emelianenko, Oli Thompson and Carl Seumanutafa.
Bader, meanwhile, is listed at 14/5 to emerge from the bracket. The Power MMA Team standout claimed the light heavyweight strap in his promotional debut with a split decision over Phil Davis at Bellator 180 and defended the title with a second-round technical knockout of Linton Vassell at Bellator 186 on Nov. 3.
Mitirone will face Roy Nelson (6/1) in a quarterfinal matchup at Bellator 194 on Feb. 16 in Uncasville, Conn., while Bader will meet Muhammed Lawal (11/1) at as-yet-to-be-announced date and venue in May.
The first matchup of the tournament features the fighters given the lowest odds of winning. Chael Sonnen, at 14/1, and Quinton Jackson, at 16/1, will square off at Bellator 192 in Inglewood, Calif., on Jan. 20. Also noteworthy is that any alternate fighter has better odds of victory at 6/1 than Lawal, Sonnen or Jackson.
Odds to win Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix
Matt Mitrione 9/4
Ryan Bader 14/5
Frank Mir 4/1
Fedor Emelianenko 6/1
Roy Nelson 6/1
Any Alternate Fighter 6/1
Muhammed Lawal 11/1
Chael Sonnen 14/1
Quinton Jackson 16/1
Quinton Jackson vs Chael Sonnen
Quinton Jackson -155 (20/31)
Chael Sonnen +125 (5/4)
Frank Mir vs Fedor Emelianenko
Frank Mir -190 (10/19)
Fedor Emelianenko +155 (31/20)
Matt Mitrione vs Roy Nelson
Matt Mitrione -175 (4/7))
Roy Nelson +145 (29/20)
Ryan Bader vs Muhammed Lawal
Ryan Bader -260 (5/13)
Muhammed Lawal +200 (2/1)