Jon Fitch will get a crack at claiming a second title in a major promotion when he takes on Rory MacDonald as part of the Bellator welterweight grand prix in April.
The Bellator welterweight grand prix continues to roll on, and the title will be on the line later this year. This week, MMA Fighting was among the first to report that current 170lb champ Rory MacDonald will put his belt on the line against Jon Fitch this April. The event is being targeted for San Jose, California. Bellator officials did not respond to a request for comment, but the bout is believed to be on track.
It will be MacDonald’s first appearance in the tournament, which began in September 2018. Incredibly, seven months later, the grand prix will still be in its first round. In a unique twist, Bellator had previously confirmed the title would be on the line throughout the affair.
MacDonald (20-5) last fought at Bellator 206 in September, where he challenged Gegard Mousasi for the promotion’s middleweight crown. The fight did not go his way. Coincidentally, that was the same night the welterweight grand prix officially launched.
‘The Red King’ had been on a two fight win streak prior to that, having defeated both Paul Daley and Douglas Lima, the latter for the 170lb title.
Jon Fitch (31-7-1, 1 NC) is currently on one of the best runs of his career at age 40. He’s won five straight over the likes of Jake Shields, Yushin Okami, and Paul Daley. Fitch is, of course, a former UFC title challenger and World Series of Fighting champion.
Bellator: MacDonald vs. Fitch is expected to take place in San Jose, CA on April 27. The event has not yet been officially announced or assigned a number.
