Former Bellator Heavyweight Champion Vitaly Minakov signed a new contract with the organization and will have the opportunity to return the title next year. The 33-year-old Russian performed in Bellator from 2012 to 2014 and scored five victories in five fights. Having won the championship belt and successfully defended it Minakov was in no hurry to continue to fight for the organization, as he was not satisfied with the contract terms.
For three and a half years, Vitaly had seven fights under the aegis of Fight Nights Global and won all of them, having increased his professional record to 21-0.
The Bellator president Scott Coker said that Minakov will have one fight, and then meet with the winner of the Grand Prix promotion in the heavyweight division. The semi-final bouts will be held on October 12 and 13. Fedor Emelianenko will meet Chael Sonnen, and Matt Mitrione will fight Ryan Bader.
