Viacom Buy Majority Share in Bellator

Viacom, parent of MTV Networks, bought a majority stake in Bellator Fighting Championships and will start airing the promotion's bouts on Spike in 2013, the companies told USA TODAY this week. They've had ongoing talks for about a year as they finished up various deals, and over the past month finally reached the point where they could announce the news, Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney said.

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Although Spike's agreement to carry new material from UFC ends in December, the channel still has rights to the promotion's library through 2012. As a result, fights from Bellator won't air on Spike until 2013, said Kevin Kay, Spike TV president. In addition to continuing Bellator's current practice of having two seasons annually, Spike expects to run additional programs such as highlight shows and related content, both on TV and online.

I knew Bellator would move to Spike eventually But I'm very surprised Viacom (The parent company of Spike, If you didn't know that...boy...What can I say ) have brought in to Bellator, Obviously they are in for the long haul and obviously Bellator have some money to play with things could get very interesting.

This is HUGE for Bellator. Looks like they're safe for the future.

This is massive for Bellator. Delighted at this news. Clear replacement for Strikeforce when Dana finally gets his way and convinces Lorenzo to kill them off. Also a new home for many of the Strikeforce fighters that don't go to the UFC. I'd like to see them sign some of the K1 guys who want to make the change over. Spong for example.

Nice one I reckon there are some quality SF guys who will get cut, A lot of good fighters UFC wont sign.

Since Zuffa have cut ties with GG it would be an opening for Sergei to come over and give Konrad a propper challenge.. I mean Knock him out a take his belt Id love them to get involved with some of the K-1 guys coming over, let Konrad come in at 275 and fight Shilt for a special attraction fight if he has no K-1 fights to keep him busy, heres hoping.

Guys I think UFC wont touch would be great for Bellator like Im sure Manhoef needs a new home, say what you will about him he is out of the K-1 GP, ranked above some UFC guys like Kyle Noke, CB Dollaway, Jason McDonald or say Bellator title challengers like Falaniko Vitale he is one hell of an exciting figher and was seriously unlucky to loose to Lawler... Just saying

I dont know if this is accurate but Wikipedia have a list of SF fighers with the SF records, probabally a good indication of who UFC will pick up.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_Strikeforce_fighters

Daley is another instant title challenger for Bellator if they need half credible guys UFC arent going to sign. Daley could fight at BAMMA and Bellator and I reckon its pretty likely.

JZ has had a fucking rough run of luck in SF, I wonder if it will make him fly under UFC's radar? If so please make Alvarez vs JZ happen, it seems like something we should have seen by now!

I think Askren would beat Daley comfortably. His wrestling against a man who's never been able to stop a decent shot? No contest for me.

I love Manhoef but honestly I could not see his chin hold up against the likes Shelmenko or Lombard.

As I said earlier this is very interesting and completely out of the blue I should add. With mo money to play with Bellator are in a very good position I'm sure there will more sponsorship revenue plus they will obviously be able to attract decent names too and you can guarantee Zuffa will be more cautious with their releases in future with this announcement.

I do hope Viacom/Spike keep the tournament format going sure It has It faults in terms keeping Champions on the side line a little longer that expected but you do get to see upsets and a legitimate way of determining contenders.

Anfields5thKing wrote:I think Askren would beat Daley comfortably. His wrestling against a man who's never been able to stop a decent shot? No contest for me.

He stuffed a good few of Woodleys takedowns, how does Woodleys wrestling compare?

Great news for Bellator. I've always liked how they have gone about things and the tournament format is a bit different to the other orgs. MMA needs a strong "second" organisation for guys who get cut from the UFC or up and comers who want to build a record before being thrown in with the sharks. Having Viacom as a backer is awesome with that kind of financial stability they can focus on doing things right and maybe even provide some much needed competition for the UFC.

My latest blog post http://mmamunch.blogspot.com/2011/10/too-much-ufcnot-for-me.html

Always been a fan of Bellator,only caught highlights of season 1,but from season 2,every Thursday night was bellator night and since they moved to MTV 2,it's become a staple of my Saturday night viewing,so I'm really happy that the future is looking rosy for them.

I think they have been pretty successful with their tourney format and have given us some great moments and fantastic fights(don't like one night tourneys,personally think they are better served in circus tents,than in professional sports)but I wish they would change their stance on these Champs having these non title fights and only defending against the tourney winners.

For me if the champ fights,unless weight is missed by one of the fighters or it's an agreed catch weight fight,then his belt should be on the line and the winner of the tourney should get a shot at who ever owns the belt at that time,not the guy who was champ when the tourney started.

Also good blog Matt.

The_Axe_Emperor wrote:

Anfields5thKing wrote:I think Askren would beat Daley comfortably. His wrestling against a man who's never been able to stop a decent shot? No contest for me.

He stuffed a good few of Woodleys takedowns, how does Woodleys wrestling compare?

Woodley's a good wrestler but not a great one like Kos or Askren. Be a bit like comparing say Dirk Kuyt who can get the job done through effort and determination to Luis Suarez who does it with ease and more regularly.