Bellator broke a lengthy silence and released information on future plans.
The American promotion has published the tournament schedule for the period from early April to early May and announced the holding of the Grand Prix in light heavyweight.
Along with the rest of the fighters, the reigning champion in this category Vadim Nemkov, whose contract with the organization is about to expire, will take part in it.
The promotion's decision to host the Light Heavyweight Grand Prix came as a surprise.
Yes, Bellator currently has one of the strongest, if not the strongest selection of fighters in the under 93 kg category, and it would be strange not to use that.
Nevertheless, in the martial arts, the holding of a tournament according to the Olympic system is always fraught with risks and can not only dramatically stretch in terms of time, but also lose prestige due to other factors.
It is worth recalling that the current head of Bellator, Scott Cocker, is a fan of organizing competitions of this kind.
He started this practice back in the days of Strikeforce, and later resumed it in a new promotion.
In the past few years alone, the Grand Prix in the heavy, welterweight and featherweight divisions have been initiated.
But if the tournaments in the heavier categories passed without difficulties and were completed a year after the start, then the championship in the category up to 65 kilograms threatens to stretch by almost two.
The first fights took place in September 2019, and until now even the second participant of the final is unknown.
Only at the beginning of April, Patricio Freire will fight with Emmanuel Sanchez and determine the future opponent of AJ Mackey.
Of course, the problems of this Grand Prix are largely related to the coronavirus.
The same Freire was originally supposed to fight in the quarterfinals in March 2020, but due to the pandemic he was able to enter the cage only in November.
True, even in this case Bellator would hardly have been able to complete the competition by September.
Usually fighters need about two to three months to prepare for a battle, and this is not counting all kinds of emergency situations.
An example from another type of martial arts also suggests itself.
The second season of the World Boxing Super Series in light heavyweight started in October 2018, but was completed only after almost two years.
It is noteworthy that the names of the finalists became known back in June 2019, but it was only possible to appoint a face-to-face duel for March.
Subsequently, due to COVID-19, it had to be moved to May, and then to the end of September.
The Light-Heavyweight Grand Prix kicks off April 9th!
📆 #BellatorOnShowtime is bringing you some 🔥 light heavyweight action in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣ with the #Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix.
Who do you think will walk away with that $ 1️⃣, 0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣, 0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣?
# BellatorLHWGPpic.twitter.com / BjMxe5MmAC
- BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) February 9, 2021
As for the Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix, the competition grid also raises serious questions.
The main favorites and stars were on the right side, while on the left were less status fighters or, albeit well-deserved, but not in the best shape veterans.
The legendary Lyoto Machida has two defeats in a row in the passive, and of the last 13 fights, he has only played two in the light heavyweight division.
Former champion Ryan Bader recently lost to Vadim Nemkov, and Corey Anderson, although he began his career in the promotion with a victory, clearly should not be overestimated.
The 44-year-old Melvin Manhoef, a natural middleweight, was defeated.
Dovletjan Yagshimuradov is also on the left side of the grid.
However, although he has the ACA title in his track record, he can hardly be considered the favorite of the tournament so far.
In the first round, he will meet with the former fourth number of the UFC light heavyweight rating - Anderson, who previously defeated Glover Teixeira, Johnny Walker and reigning champion Jan Blakhovich.
Thus, the main attention will be focused on the right side of the grid, within which Vadim Nemkov will perform.
As expected, in the quarterfinals, his rival will be the first contender for the title - Phil Davis, and if he wins at the next stage, he will face the biggest fight of his career.
He will be opposed by the winner of the duel between Anthony Johnson and Yoel Romero, who switched to promotion at the end of 2020.
On paper, the Grand Prix could be the perfect springboard for Nemkov's career.
In the event of a triumph, he will write down three victories over star opponents and will seriously raise the level of popularity.
After that, he will be able not only to demand a large contract from Bellator, but also to have the necessary leverage during negotiations with the UFC.
A victory at such a major championship will surely raise him in the eyes of Dana White and allow him to count on good conditions in the event of a possible transition to the largest MMA promotion on the planet.
However, there is one more circumstance that can play an important role in the organization of the Grand Prix.
For Nemkov, the fight with Davis will be the last under the current contract, and at the moment there are no guarantees that the Russian will decide to extend the agreement.
Recently, Bellator has been significantly inferior to the UFC in terms of the number of events held, and there are no prerequisites for dramatic changes yet.
By the time the first Cocker promotion show takes place in 2021, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will have 11.
Undoubtedly, Bellator has lagged behind the UFC in terms of the number of tournaments in a calendar year before.
But the Absolute Fighting Championship also came out excellently from the situation with the pandemic and practically did not slow down, thanks to which it provided work not only for its stars, but also for the fighters of the second and third echelons.
But the competitor did not hold many events, in this regard, even some top athletes could not fight.
Therefore, it is unlikely that anyone will be surprised if Nemkov repeats the fate of Alistair Overeem and leaves the Cocker organization right during the Grand Prix.
This is exactly what happened in 2011, when the Dutchman refused to renew his contract with Strikeforce and left the promotion ahead of the semi-final confrontation with Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva.
It is noteworthy that then he was replaced by Daniel Cormier, who later became the winner.
However, while the Russian hints that he is going to extend the agreement with the organization and work out the Grand Prix in full.
According to him, the tournament should be excellent, as a number of former UFC representatives will take part in it, as a result of which the increased interest of MMA fans from all over the world will be ensured.
“The main thing for me is to win.
A million dollars is, of course, very cool.
This is not a pleasant bonus, but it is a very strong incentive and motivation.
To make so much money ... All my thoughts are now connected only with the Grand Prix.
Win it, and then think about the future.
Everything suits me: very strong rivals, a plan for the year is planned.
What will happen next - we'll see.
As for my camp, we haven't thought about this question yet.
It should be decided in the coming days.
Most likely, preparation, as usual, will take place in Stary Oskol ", - quotes Nemkov's words" Championship ".
In addition, the decision to arrange the above tournament may make one think about the departure of another Russian fighter.
Valentin Moldavsky has won five fights in a row and is already considered one of the main contenders for the heavyweight title, but he risks not getting a chance to fight for it until at least 2022.
The reason for this is the participation in the Grand Prix of Bader, who holds the title of champion in the category up to 120 kilograms.
The American will not be able to simultaneously play in two divisions, as a result of which the second will continue to be idle.
In general, the situation in the Bellator heavy division raises serious questions.
Suffice it to recall that since April 2014 there have been only three battles for this trophy.
Until 2016, Vitaly Minakov owned the belt, but was subsequently deprived of it after a series of unsuccessful attempts to conduct another defense.
Then Cocker decided to hold the same Grand Prix, as a result of which the belt went to Bader.
But even he defended him only once - in September 2019.
It is noteworthy that, like five years ago, Cheik Congo was the contender.