Roy Nelson-Matt Mitrione Tournament Bout Set as Bellator 194 Headliner on Feb. 16

A heavyweight grand prix showdown pitting Roy Nelson against Matt Mitrione will officially serve as the headliner for Bellator 194.

Promotion officials revealed the news on Tuesday. Bellator 194 takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on Feb. 16. The event will be broadcast on the Paramount Network at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming weeks.

Nelson vs. Mitrione is one of four quarterfinal matchups booked for the heavyweight bracket over the first five months of 2018. Quinton Jackson and Chael Sonnen will kick things off at Bellator 192 on Jan. 20; Fedor Emelianenko and Frank Mir will meet in April and Ryan Bader and Muhammed Lawal will square off in May.

Nelson and Mitrione initially squared off at “The Ultimate Fighter 16” finale in December 2012, with “Big Country” winning via first-round technical knockout. Nelson signed with Bellator earlier this year and made his debut at Bellator 183, where he earned a unanimous verdict over Javy Ayala.

Mitrione signed with the California-based promotion in 2016 following a 14-bout stint with the UFC. He has kicked off his Bellator tenure with KO/TKO wins against Carl Seumanutafa, Oli Thompson and Emelianenko.