Bellator will put the spotlight on the bantamweight in 2022.
The promotion announced plans for a grand prix to begin next year in the division. The winner will receive $1 million and be crowned the champion.
Along with Sergio Pettis and Kyoji Horiguchi, the event will also feature Juan Archuleta, Raufeon Stotts, Patchy Mix, Magomed Magomedov, Leandro Higo and James Gallagher.
Pettis will be defending his title after scoring a fourth round knockout victory over Horiguchi at Bellator 272. The reigning champion ended the fight with a spinning back-fist that connected.
First-round matchups and additional details such as dates, locations and tournament alternates will be revealed soon.
All tournament bouts will be five-round contests and will be telecast in the United States exclusively on Showtime.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
The Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix is coming in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣2️⃣.
Here are the confirmed competitors as announced live on @SHOSports. #Bellator272 #BellatorBWGP pic.twitter.com/jdNVxTYPa4
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) December 4, 2021