Ryan Bader vs. Matt Mitrione Bellator heavyweight grand prix semifinal finalized for October

Steven Muehlhausen

Ryan Bader vs. Matt Mitrione Bellator heavyweight grand prix semifinal finalized for October image

We now know when one-half of the Bellator's heavyweight grand prix semifinals will take place. 

Bellator announced on Tuesday that Ryan Bader vs. Matt Mitrione will square off at an unnamed event on Friday, Oct. 12 from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card will air and stream live, respectively, on the Paramount Network and DAZN.

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The winner moves on to face the winner of Chael Sonnen and Fedor Ememlianenko. No date has been announced for the matchup.

Bader (25-5) has a perfect record 3-0 in Bellator. In his first Bellator contest, he defeated Phil Davis by unanimous decision to capture the light heavyweight championship at Bellator NYC in June 2017. The 35-year-old advanced to the semifinals by knocking out Muhammad Lawal in just 15 seconds at Bellator 199 in May.

Mitrione (13-5) is also undefeated in his Bellator run, going 4-0. He's won three fights by knockout, including Emelianenko at the aforementioned Bellator NYC event. The former NFL player made it into this round, beating Roy Nelson by majority decision at Bellator 194 in February.

 

 

 

Steven Muehlhausen

Steven Muehlhausen Photo

Steven Muehlhausen is a contributing writer for DAZN News. He writes features and news stories, and provides analysis relating to the world of boxing. Over the past five years, he has interviewed some of the biggest names in combat sports, including Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Terence Crawford, Vasiliy Lomachenko and Bill Goldberg.