The first-round matchups of Bellator MMA’s welterweight Grand Prix announced on Monday.
The first round bout includes a trilogy between former Bellator welterweight champions Douglas Lima, and Andrey Koreshkov will kick off the tournament as well a showdown between undefeated prospects Neiman Gracie and former NCAA champion wrestler turned fighter Ed Ruth on September 29 at Bellator 200.
Rory MacDonald, a current 170-pound champion will take on former UFC title challenger Jon Fitch in the first part of the bracket matchup.
Rory MacDonald will also be fighting for middleweight title that against Gegard Mousasi at Bellator 206 on Sept. 29
A long-standing feud between two British welterweights Paul Daley and Michael “Venom” Page will also take place in the first round.
The winners of Rory MacDonald vs. Jon Fitch and Gracie vs. Ruth will advance in the semifinals of the tournament.
Lorenz Larkin and unbeaten Yaroslav Amosov will meet in an alternate bout.
All the Grand Prix showdowns are scheduled to be five-round affairs with the title on the line for every tournament bouts where the champion is competing.
The welterweight Grand Prix will exclusively air on DAZN, the new broadcast partners of Bellator MMA.
Check below the opening round matchups:
Rory MacDonald vs. Jon Fitch
Paul Daley vs. Michael Page
Douglas Lima vs. Andrey Koreshkov
Neiman Gracie vs. Ed Ruth
*Lorenz Larkin vs. Yaroslav Amosov
