Bellator stacks the deck for $1 million lightweight grand prix

Bellator has announced the field for their lightweight grand prix, and the lineup is stacked with top-drawer talent.

The eight-man tournament, with a prize of $1 million awaiting the winner, will get underway on March 10 in San Jose, and Bellator president Scott Coker has announced the list of contenders set for action.

Coker appeared on The MMA Hour to reveal the list, which includes reigning lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, former 155-pound champion Patricky Pitbull, ex-WEC and UFC champ Benson Henderson, and former featherweight champion AJ McKee, plus former Rizin lightweight champion Tofiq Musayev.

Rounding out the list are former title challenger Sidney Outlaw, rising contender Alexander Shabliy and former BAMMA, ROAD FC and M-1 Challenge champion Mansour Barnaoui.

Bellator confirmed the lineup to Fighters Only via media release, and swiftly followed up with confirmation of the first bout of the tournament.

Newly-crowned Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov will take on former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson in a first-round bout in the main event of Bellator 292, which will take place on Friday, March 10 in San Jose, California.

The SAP Center, better known as “The Shark Tank,” will play host to the event as Bellator returns to familiar surroundings to kick off the tournament.

Also confirmed for the event is a first-round bout between former Rizin lightweight champion Tofiq Musayev and Alexander Shabliy.

Bellator 292: Nurmagomedov vs. Henderson – Confirmed bouts

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Usman Nurmagomedov (c) vs. Benson Henderson (lightweight grand prix bout, for lightweight title)
Tofiq Musayev vs. Alexander Shabliy (lightweight grand prix bout)

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