Bellator Introduces 4-Man Tournaments in 3 Weight Divisions for 2013 Summer Series

According to a Wednesday press release, the Viacom-owned organization will hold tournaments in the heavyweight, light heavyweight and bantamweight divisions this summer live on Spike TV.

“We are always striving to enhance every aspect of the Bellator formula for our fighters and fans,” Bellator CEO and Chairman Bjorn Rebney said in the release. “Our champions consistently defending their titles against world class challengers who’ve earned their title shots creates a win-win for those two crucial groups. Three stacked four-man tournaments over our Summer Series on Spike is another great step in our growth and evolution.”

Bellator has traditionally used an eight-man tournament to crown title challengers, a format to which the promotion will return this fall in Season 9. No dates or tournament participants have been announced for the upcoming Summer Series, which has previously consisted of three events held from June to August in both 2011 and 2012.