SAN JOSE, Calif. – More tournaments could be headed to Bellator next year, and fighters are excited about the prospect.

Bellator President Scott Coker said on Saturday to be on the lookout for the format when the Bellator’s world heavyweight grand prix wraps up later this year.

“I want to get through the heavyweight tournament first, but I think it’s a great format for us,” Coker said after Bellator 199, which aired on Paramount from SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., and hosted the final opening-round/quarterfinal matchup of the eight-man competition. “I believe there is a place for tournaments in MMA, and I think this grand prix tournament proves that it’s something worth doing.

“For us, it’s great because it crowns our new heavyweight champion. But don’t be surprised if you see another tournament or so next year.”

Bellator 199’s headliner saw light-heavyweight champion Ryan Bader (25-5 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) smash Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal (21-7 MMA, 10-6 BMMA) in 15 seconds to advance to the semifinals, where he meets natural heavyweight Matt Mitrione (21-7 MMA, 10-6 BMMA).

Bellator 199 main-card winners Aaron Pico and Jon Fitch, who came out victorious in separate bouts, signaled they would volunteer for a tournament when the promotion puts together brackets.

“At 145 (pounds), just in wrestling and fighting, there are so many good guys,” said featherweight Pico (3-1 MMA, 3-1 BMMA), who stopped Lee Morrison (19-9 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) in 70 seconds with a body shot. “But if there was ever anything to emerge, that would be one hell of a tournament. There would be a lot of people tuning in, that’s for sure.”

Co-headliner Fitch (31-7-1 MMA, 1-0 BMMA), who outpointed Paul Daley (40-16-2 MMA, 6-3 BMMA) over three rounds in an unusual bout, said he wants to climb the ranks as quickly as possible because he’s not getting any younger. If a belt were on the line, a tournament might expedite his mission.

“There are a lot of really tough welterweights right now, and the way they’re doing it with the heavyweights seems to be successful,” he said. “So it could be fun.”

As a promoter, Coker is no stranger to the tournament format. He promoted several as the head of the now-defunct Strikeforce promotion, where a heavyweight grand prix in 2012 drew big ratings for broadcast partner Showtime. After taking the reigns at Bellator in 2014, he shifted away from the tournament-centered structure set up by ex-CEO Bjorn Rebney in favor of “tentpole” events, often headlined by aging UFC stars.

But with Bellator now aggressively pursuing free agents, there’s a need to put all the new talent to work. The only question is what divisions will choose first for a tournament.

For complete coverage of Bellator 199, check out the MMA Events section of the site.

Gallery Ryan Bader def. Muhammed Lawal at Bellator 199: Best photos view 6 images

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