Fedor Emelianenko

By FCF Staff

Bellator’s 2018 schedule will feature  a heavyweight tournament, which will crown a new champion for the division.

The tournament will feature Fedor Emelianenko, Matt Mitrione, Roy Nelson, Frank Mir, Chael Sonnen, Ryan Bader, “Rampage” Jackson and “King Mo” Lawal, according to a report from MMA Junkie, which cites Bellator President Scott Coker.

“This is going to be something that’s iconic for us,” Coker said. “Tournaments, traditionally, are kind of the way martial arts contests happen. Now we get to put eight iconic brand names in our sport together over a year, and then whoever wins will be crowned the heavyweight champion.”

The tournament’s bouts will take place throughout 2018, and the championship final is tentatively planned for next December. The first round of fights have yet to be determined.

Last year Bellator stripped Vitaly Minakov of the heavyweight title, after a pro-longed contract dispute.