Bellator MMA finally seems to have solved its U.K. broadcast issues, as events will now air live on Sky Sports starting with Bellator 216 next weekend.
At long last, MMA fans in the U.K. will be able to watch Bellator MMA events live. On Friday, the promotion announced via press release that it had entered into a broadcast deal with Sky Sports. The arrangement will see no fewer than 20 U.S. and international events broadcast live in the U.K. and Ireland. The new deal is in addition to a recent deal with Channel 5 in the U.K. Channel 5 will air a number of events from Bellator’s European fight series live, starting with Bellator: Newcastle.
The Sky Sports deal will begin with Bellator 216 next Saturday, which sees Michael ‘Venom’ Page take on Paul Daley — a.k.a. two of the biggest British stars in mixed martial arts.
Bellator CEO Scott Coker was quoted in Friday’s press release as saying that “this is a groundbreaking partnership for MMA in the U.K. and Ireland, and we are thrilled to finally bring LIVE Bellator events to our passionate fanbase there. We have worked diligently to find the right network in the U.K. and Sky Sports will undoubtedly deliver for our viewers. I’m excited that our fans overseas will now be able to be part of our events that take place around the globe and witness some of the best athletes in the sport today.”
