Sources close to MMA HQ reveal that MMA Scouts will be sponsoring five Grand Prix events–one in each major weight class– in 2010. Although the exact dates are still being looked at, the events are set to take place within the Brutaal MMA promotion and their partner shows in the five-state area.

The winners of these 8-man tournaments will receive Strikeforce contracts. The tournaments will be played out over three or more separate events, with MMA Scouts advertising for fighters at all events. There will be three more Grand Prix events in 2011.

“Nick Gamst’s promotion has been the premier proving ground in Minnesota for years, ” said Ambition MMA’s Mike Reilly. “MMA Stars such as Brett Rogers, Nick Thompson, Brock Larson, Kelly Kobold, Sammy Morgan, Nik Lentz, Jacob Volkman and many others have all sharpened their skills inside Brutaal Steel. Brutaal has a reputation for great fans, exciting fights and excellent presentation; making them the perfect partner for MMA Scout’s quest to find MMA’s best new talent.”

An MMA scout was spotted at the last Brutal Nation event at Treasure Island, which featured astounding performances by fighters including Gabe Greenberg, Jeremy Hamilton, Pat Schilling and Ryan Stock. The next event takes place in Minneapolis on February 26th.

Freestyle Cage Fighting is in the middle of a women’s Grand Prix, the winner of which will receive a contract to compete in Strikeforce and may challenge for a championship title in the promotion. The winners of the first leg of this bout included Jan Finney, Shayna Baszler, A.J. Jenkins and Jen Tate.