Bellator Grand Prix Odds To Open – Bellator has announced the match-ups and locations for next year’s World Grand Prix Heavyweight tournament and opening lines have been released.
Before we get into looking at the match-ups and odds we will take a look at the tournament format. Granted, each match is a relatively competitive main event and spreading them out on different shows and different broadcasts will help Bellator maximize viewers. Unfortunately, Bellator has spread the quarter final round over a four month period, and that long time frame practically assures we won’t get the tournament as advertised. Injuries in training could occur as two of the tournament matches are 5 and 6 months away.
Bellator does deserve credit for matchmaking tough in the opening round. The result is all four fights in the tournament have opened with competitive opening lines.
The first match we will get come in January and pits Chael Sonnen versus Quinton Jackson. There will be a lot of trash talking on the part of Sonnen and a lot of howling on the part of Jackson. Both men are ten years removed from their prime and they have shown it. Sonnen has gone 2-4 in his last few fights dating back to 2012. Jackson lost his last outing to rival King Mo, but he had managed to put together a five fight winning streak prior to that.
Roy Nelson and Matt Mitrione meet in February in a bout between true heavyweights who are both armed with big punching power. Nelson is the older of the two fighters and he has taken a lot of punishment over the years. Mitrione just knocked out Fedor Emilianenko in Bellator and he has gone 3-0 since joining the group. Nelson may warrant watching in the underdog role because of the two fighters, he definitely has the bigger toolbox in terms of MMA skill.
Fedor smiled when Frank Mir was announced as his opponent. Mir is bigger and stronger than Fedor and he is also a high skill guy, not a brawler. Fedor has slowed down over the years and he was always a small heavyweight. Here, Fedor will have a chance to flash his speed and power against Mir, who has become easy to hit. If he cannot score the stoppage over Mir, winning the fight over the distance for Fedor becomes a tall order.
In matching up King Mo Lawal and Ryan Bader, Bellator is matching up the two youngest competitors in the tournament. Bader is favored, and his line is the widest available in the tournament. King Mo tried to get busy in 2016, but he went 1-2 in three fights. Since this match is set for next year, 2017 saw Mo go 1-0 with his win over Quinton Jackson his only fight. Bader is on a run that has seen him win nine of his last ten fights.
More interesting news popped up around the tournament as alternates are going to be necessary. Former UFC welterweight contender Rory MacDonald has thrown his name in the hat. A move from welterweight to heavyweight would not be unprecedented in MMA as recently Anthony “Rumble” Johnson experienced MMA success in both weight classes.
1/20 Bellator 192 –
Featherweight 5 rounds – The Forum – Los Angeles, California
Chael Sonnen +110
Quinton Jackson -140
2/16 Bellator 194 –
Heavyweight 5 rounds – Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, Connecticut
Roy Nelson +145
Matt Mitrione -175
Fri 4/6 Bellator –
Heavyweight 5 rounds – Allstate Arena – Chicago, Illinois
Fedor Emelianenko +155
Frank Mir -185
5/11 Bellator –
Heavyweight 5 rounds – SAP Center – San Jose, California
Muhammed Lawal +200
Ryan Bader -260
Bellator Grand Prix Odds To Open / Into boxing as well? Check out more boxing news and features at The Sweet Science.
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