Bellator announces Lightweight Grand Prix

On Wednesday Bellator announced a new World Grand Prix, this time featuring lightweight fighters. This is the sixth tournament of its kind in modern times with heavyweight (Ryan Bader), welterweight (Douglas Lima), featherweight (AJ McKee), light heavyweight (Vadim Nemkov), and bantamweight (Raufeon Stots vs. Patchy Mix) coming before.

Headlining the tournament is lightweight champ Usman Nurmagomedov and his title will remain on the line throughout the tournament.

Also competing in the tournament are: AJ McKee, who looks to be the first man to win two tournaments, former champion Patricky Pitbull, Tofiq Musayev, Benson Henderson, Alexander Shabliy, Sidney Outlaw, and Mansour Barnaoui.

The first two fights for the tournament was also announced.

On Friday March 10, the title will be on the line when Nurmagomedov faces Benson Henderson in San Jose, CA.

On Friday, May 12, No. 5-ranked Outlaw (16-5) will face Paris native Barnaoui (20-4) in Paris, France.