British public broadcaster to remain the only place to watch the mixed martial arts organisation in the UK
The BBC has renewed its broadcast rights agreement with American MMA organisation Bellator.
Considered by many to be the second most prominent promotion in the sport behind the UFC, Bellator is home to some household names including the likes of English fighters Michael "Venom" Page and Fabian Edwards.
Every Bellator show of 2023 will be available to watch on BBC television, as well as online via live streaming on the BBC iPlayer. This includes the promotion's marquee events in the UK and Ireland, which are often some of its biggest of the year.
David Green, Head of Bellator Europe, said of the deal:
“We’ve enjoyed an incredibly successful relationship with the BBC to date, so we’re delighted to announce the renewal of this deal which has made world class MMA action more accessible than ever to fans in the UK."
“Our 2023 calendar shows the promotion is incredibly strong and we’re excited to continue bringing all our events and this amazing sport to as many people in the UK as possible with the BBC.”
Bellator events will also be easily accessible for British fight fans across the BBC's digital platforms, including its website and app.
The next Bellator event on the BBC will be this Friday when reigning lightweight world champion Usman Nurmagomedov, cousin of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, defends his crown against former UFC star Benson Henderson.
With the event taking place at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, British audiences will have to stay up late to catch the action live on the BBC, with the card set to start in the early hours of Saturday morning, at 03.00 UK time, and the main event to kick off around 06.00.
However, fans who aren't quite brave enough to stay up that late will have the option of watching the card back on demand with the BBC iPlayer app the following day.
Bellator President, Scott Coker, also gave his thoughts on the agreement:
“MMA has never been in a better place in the UK and I’m very proud of the impact we as a promotion have had there. We’re excited by our growth in European markets like the UK and to have the continued support of the BBC as we bring the sport to more people than ever.”
The renewal of this "successful" relationship between the BBC and Bellator should be a mutually productive one.
Bellator will continue to see their product aired on a high profile, well known broadcaster in the UK, and the BBC will get further content to bolster its sports offering, which it appears to be keen on strengthening.
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