bbc Retains Mma Rights
The BBC has renewed its broadcast deal with mixed martial arts promotion Bellator MMA.
The new agreement will see the BBC iPlayer remain the exclusive home in the UK for all Bellator events with every Bellator event in 2023 available to watch live and on demand on BBC iPlayer, including all UK, European and international shows.
BBC iPlayer has held the rights for two years, however, through this expanded agreement the broadcaster has said that now all Bellator events will ‘benefit from increased prominence across BBC Sport’s digital platforms such as the BBC Sport website and app.’
The renewal will begin this week with Bellator’s return to Dublin’s 3Arena on Saturday 25th February. The card features welterweight unification match between Bellator Welterweight World Champion Yaroslav Amosov and interim titleholder Logan Storley.
Upcoming events include the launch of the Lightweight World Grand Prix at Bellator 292, the conclusion of the Bantamweight World Grand Prix at Bellator 295, four world title fights and a return to Paris in May.
Speaking to Sport Industry Group in September, Bellator’s European head David Green commented, “So many people know more about [Bellator] and that’s because of the BBC, and some of the coverage we’ve gotten and the talent that’s come through from here.”
