Matt Mitrione opens as betting favorite to win Bellator heavyweight tournament

It’s clear who oddsmakers believe in — and don’t believe in — when it comes to Bellator’s 2018 heavyweight tournament.

Longtime heavyweight contender Matt Mitrione opened as the betting favorite to win Bellator’s upcoming grand prix, according to odds posted Tuesday to Bovada. Mitrione opened as a 9/4 favorite to win the entire bracket, which will decide Bellator’s next heavyweight champion. He was followed closely by Bellator light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader (14/5) and former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir (4/1).

The biggest underdogs of the field are Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (16/1) and Chael Sonnen (14/1), two former light heavyweights who are slated to open the tournament with a quarterfinals matchup on Jan. 20 at Bellator 192. That fight, as with all the others, will air on Paramount Network (formerly Spike) in 2018.

Updated odds for the Bellator heavyweight tournament and its opening round matchups can be seen below.

Odds to win Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix

• Matt Mitrione — 9/4
• Ryan Bader — 14/5
• Frank Mir — 4/1
• Fedor Emelianenko — 6/1
• Roy Nelson — 6/1
• Any Alternate Fighter — 6/1
• Muhammed Lawal — 11/1
• Chael Sonnen — 14/1
• Quinton Jackson — 16/1

Quinton Jackson vs. Chael Sonnen — Jan. 20
Quinton Jackson: -155 (20/31)
Chael Sonnen: +125 (5/4)

Frank Mir vs. Fedor Emelianenko — April
Frank Mir: -190 (10/19)
Fedor Emelianenko: +155 (31/20)

Matt Mitrione vs. Roy Nelson — Feb. 16
Matt Mitrione: -175 (4/7))
Roy Nelson: +145 (29/20)

Ryan Bader vs. Muhammed Lawal — May
Ryan Bader: -260 (5/13)
Muhammed Lawal: +200 (2/1)