Bellator MMA has a new broadcast home in Brazil.
On Wednesday, promotion officials announced via press release that Bellator had inked a multi-year broadcast deal with Globo, parent company of Combate. The outlet will serve as the promotion’s new home in the South American nation.
Combate is the previous home of the UFC in Brazil, with that deal coming to an end recently.
“We are thrilled to have BELLATOR’s fights airing on Globo, the leading network for combat sports in Brazil,” said BELLATOR President Scott Coker in Wednesday’s press release. “Brazil is home to some of the most knowledgeable and passionate MMA fans in the world and now they can follow their favorite BELLATOR stars whenever they compete.”
The deal kicks off with this weekend’s Bellator 290, which sees Fedor Emelianenko face Ryan Bader in a rematch for the promotion’s heavyweight title. It’s also the retirement fight for the legendary Russian.
Bellator MMA is home to numerous Brazilian talents, including featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull, welterweight standout Neiman Gracie, and women’s featherweight champ Cris Cyborg, among others.
“We’re very excited on announcing this partnership with BELLATOR. With its strength and tradition, BELLATOR will certainly be one of the stars of our portfolio reinforcing the offer for those who are really combat sports fans,” said Rafael Gruenbaum, Head of Combate.
ONE Championship and Invicta FC events, among others, call Combate home.
