A heavyweight matchup between Fedor Emelianenko and Frank Mir has been finalized for a Bellator MMA event on April 28 in Rosemont, Illinois.
The bout is part of the opening round of Bellator's Heavyweight World Grand Prix tournament, which officially kicked off last weekend in Los Angeles.
Chael Sonnen advanced to the tournament semifinals with a decision over Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson. Sonnen will face the winner of the Emelianenko-Mir fight.
The second opening-round contest, featuring Matt Mitrione and Roy Nelson, headlines Bellator 194 on Feb. 16 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. The opening round will conclude with a matchup between Ryan Bader and Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal in May in San Jose.
The April event is one of the most nostalgic matchups, as Emelianenko (36-5) and Mir (18-11) are considered pioneers in the heavyweight division.
Emelianenko, who resides in Russia, was long considered the best heavyweight of all time, and arguably the best fighter in the world.
Mir, of Las Vegas, became a UFC champion back in 2004. He will be coming off a two-year layoff following a failed drug test in 2016.
