The field is set for Bellator MMA’s upcoming lightweight grand
prix.
Advertisement
Bellator president Scott Coker announced the participants during an
appearance on „The
MMA Hour” on Wednesday. They are as follows: Usman
Nurmagomedov, A.J. McKee,
Tofiq
Musayev, Alexandr
Shabliy, Patricky
Freire, Mansour
Barnaoui, Benson
Henderson and Sidney
Outlaw.
The tournament will begin on March 10 in San Jose, Calif.. Reigning
155-pound champion Nurmagomedov headlines the field, which also
includes former lightweight king Freire and ex-featherweight champ
McKee. McKee has been vocal about wanting to face Nurmagomedov in
the opening round of the bracket.
“It’s gonna be a fantastic tournament. If you look at our
lightweight division, it’s really stacked,” Coker said. “I’m
excited for these guys to all get it on.”
As with previous tournaments, the winner will receive a $1 million
payout.
“There’s a lot riding on the line, and I know these guys are gonna
fight their hearts out,” Coker said. “Everybody has something to
prove.”