The field is set for Bellator MMA’s upcoming lightweight grand
prix.
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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., but
matchups were not revealed. 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.”