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Home , Aaron Pico, Alistair Overeem, Bantamweight (MMA), Bellator MMA, Chael Sonnen, Clay Guida

LAST UPDATED 05.28.2021

PRESS KIT

#BELLATORMMA 1 BELLATOR.COM BELLATOR is a leading global MMA promotion and public relations. BELLATOR is based in per-view ever at in featuring many of the best athletes in the , Calif. and owned by entertainment , a card that featured world. Under the direction of veteran fight giant ViacomCBS, home to the world's premier defeating , ABOUT , BELLATOR events take entertainment that connect with besting and place in major cities around the world and can audiences through compelling content across capturing the light title from Phil be seen on television in over 160 countries television, motion picture, online and mobile Davis. to an available of over one billion platforms. people. In the , BELLATOR events BELLATOR hosted an eight-man Heavyweight can be seen on SHOWTIME, while in The U.K., In June of 2015, BELLATOR 138 broke franchise World Grand Prix in 2018, where Ryan Bader fans can watch on BBC iPlayer. BELLATOR MMA records for ratings, peaking at more than 2.9 emerged victorious becoming the promotion’s also has a dedicated channel on Pluto TV, million viewers, making it one of the most first two-division champion. Following the which launched in 2020. watched MMA events on in success of that initial tournament, BELLATOR 2015. At BELLATOR 170 in January 2017, 2.2 held the Welterweight World Grand Prix BELLATOR is comprised of an executive team million viewers tuned in for 's first- in 2019, which was won by . that includes top industry professionals in round submission victory over Chael Sonnen, A 16-man Featherweight World Grand Prix television production, live events, fighter which marked the most watched BELLATOR is set to culminate later this summer with development/relations, sponsorship, fight on Spike TV in nearly a year. Later that Featherweight World Champion Patricio international licensing, marketing, advertising same year, BELLATOR hosted its second pay- Pitbull taking on undefeated phenom A.J. McKee. Also currently in progress is the 2021 Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix, which is currently in the semi-final stage, leaving matchups between divisional kingpin Vadim Nemkov and Anthony “Rumble” Johnson as well as Ryan Bader and .

The BELLATOR MMA European Series was launched in early 2019, and airs exclusively on the BBC Network in the UK. In addition to numerous cities throughout the UK, the series has held live events in Ireland, Italy and France.

To date, BELLATOR has hosted over 260 live events in eight countries and 34 states.

#BELLATORMMA 2 BELLATOR.COM ABOUT Hired by and Spike TV in June of 2014, of its events. Strikeforce evolved into a mixed promotion. The deal included the video library SCOTT Scott Coker began his tenure as BELLATOR promotion in 2006, and its first and fighter contracts, as well as the agreement President at BELLATOR 122 on July 25. With MMA event featuring a fight between Frank between Strikeforce, CBS and Showtime more than 30 years promoting martial arts Shamrock and Cesar Gracie drew an astounding Networks to produce several events per year. COKER events, Coker is well known throughout the crowd of over 18,000 at the HP Pavilion in San In 2011, Coker sold Strikeforce to the UFC in a MMA industry as the founder and former CEO Jose. Notably, the show also served as the first landmark deal. of Strikeforce MMA. regulated MMA event in . Strikeforce became home to the sport’s biggest His career in combat sports began as a student stars and future champions, including Daniel of acclaimed martial artist, actor and fight Cormier, , Fedor Emelianenko, choreographer Ernie Reyes Sr. Coker would go , , , on to become a seventh degree , “Jacare” Souza, Gilbert black belt and was an original member of Melendez, , , , Reyes’ West Coast Demonstration Team. , and . In March 1985, Coker promoted his first fight card, serving as the San Jose promoter In another historic moment, Strikeforce later Coker’s presence provided BELLATOR with for the Professional Association promoted vs. Cris “Cyborg” in San immediate results through his signature (PKA), a regulatory body for and Jose on August 15, 2009, marking the first time tent-pole live events, as well as his focus karate competitions. Coker helped form the two women headlined a major MMA event. on attracting the sport’s top agents, International Sports Karate Association (ISKA) development of homegrown prospects and in 1986 and served as a director of ISKA. He In April 2008, Coker increased Strikeforce’s expansion into numerous international markets. later headed K-1 USA, an extension of the media presence by striking a deal with NBC to Under his direction, the promotion continues extremely popular -based K-1 kickboxing air the half-hour highlight program, Strikeforce to have a home in the ViacomCBS family on promotion. on NBC, hosted by and Lon SHOWTIME. McEachern. In 2009, Coker completed an In 1992, Coker founded Strikeforce Kickboxing agreement with Pro Elite, Inc. to acquire the and struck a crucial deal with ESPN to air some properties of the -defunct Elite XC MMA

#BELLATORMMA 3 BELLATOR.COM (W) BANTAMWEIGHT FEATHERWEIGHT FEATHERWEIGHT (W) & LIGHTWEIGHT JULIANA SERGIO CRIS VELASQUEZ PETTIS PATRICIO 'CYBORG' 'PITBULL' JUSTINO WORLD TITLE FREIRE CHAMPIONS

RECORD: 11 - 0 RECORD: 21 - 5 RECORD: 32 - 4 RECORD: 24 - 2

BORN: 10 - 19 -1986 BORN: 08 - 18 -1993 BORN: 07 - 07 - 1987 BORN: 07 - 09 - 1985

HEIGHT: 5' 6" HEIGHT: 5' 6" HEIGHT: 5' 8" HEIGHT: 5' 8"

FIGHTING OUT OF: FIGHTING OUT OF: FIGHTING OUT OF: FIGHTING OUT OF: , , Wisconsin, USA Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil , California, USA

WEIGHT CLASS: 125 lb : 135 lb WEIGHT CLASS: 145 lb & 155 lb WEIGHT CLASS: 145 lb

#BELLATORMMA#BELLATORMMA 4 BELLATOR.COM 4 BELLATOR.COM WELTERWEIGHT MIDDLEWEIGHT LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

DOUGLAS GEGARD VADIM RYAN 'THE PHENOM' MOUSASI NEMKOV 'DARTH' LIMA BADER WORLD TITLE CHAMPIONS

RECORD: 32 - 8 RECORD: 47 - 7 - 2 RECORD: 14 - 2 RECORD: 28 - 6

BORN: 01 - 05 - 1988 BORN: 08 - 01 - 1985 BORN: 06 - 20 - 1992 BORN: 06 - 07 - 1983

HEIGHT: 6' 1" HEIGHT: 6' 2" HEIGHT: 6' 0" HEIGHT: 6' 2"

FIGHTING OUT OF: FIGHTING OUT OF: FIGHTING OUT OF: FIGHTING OUT OF: , , USA Leiden, South Holland, , , Tempe, , USA

WEIGHT CLASS: 170 lb WEIGHT CLASS: 185 lb WEIGHT CLASS: 205 lb WEIGHT CLASS: 265 lb

#BELLATORMMA#BELLATORMMA 5 BELLATOR.COM 5 BELLATOR.COM

SUBMISSION of the YEAR

AJ MCKEE defeats DARION CALDWELL 2020 SUBMISSION: NECK CRANK ROUND 1 | 1:11 HIGHLIGHTS BELLATOR 253 11 - 19 - 2020

KNOCKOUT of the YEAR

AARON PICO defeats JOHN DE JESUS

KNOCKOUT:

ROUND 2 | 4:12

BELLATOR 252

11 - 12 - 2020

FIGHT of the YEAR

JUAN ARCHULETA defeats PATCHY MIX

DECISION: UNANIMOUS

BELLATOR 246

09 - 12 - 2020

#BELLATORMMA 6 BELLATOR.COM (AP) — The BELLATOR mixed 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. martial arts promotion is moving to Showtime. BELLATOR aired its main events on CBS IN since last September. Before that, the promotion was on the DAZN PRESS streaming service, frustrating many fans. BELLATOR President Scott Coker has a lengthy history with Showtime. The defunct Strikeforce promotion aired its fights on Showtime from 2007-13 while Coker ran that promotion before the UFC bought it. Showtime is doubling down on its BELLATOR MMA promotion commitment to combat sports with plans to moving exclusively to Showtime BELLATOR will be televised exclusively on continue its extensive presentations the premium cable network under terms of on Saturday nights. Showtime has become a agreement announced Tuesday. Both the dominant cable network in the fight game BELLATOR and Showtime are owned by after HBO dropped boxing in 2018. by: GREG BEACHAM ViacomCBS. The UFC moved exclusively to ESPN in 2019.

February 9, 2021 The telecast deal begins in April with the first in a series of Friday night events on Showtime, Coker said BELLATOR’s eight-man light during which the promotion will launch a heavyweight Grand Prix will include an Grand Prix tournament. opening-round matchup former UFC BELLATOR 255 on April 2 will be headlined contenders and Anthony by a title fight between Patricio “Rumble” Johnson in their BELLATOR debuts Freire and . on April 16. Ryan Bader and will meet April 9 on the other side of the BELLATOR has staged its shows at a casino in tournament bracket. Uncasville, Connecticut, since its return in July

#BELLATORMMA 7 BELLATOR.COM IN THE PRESS Showtime will be the "exclusive home for Plans call for Showtime to "air up to two BELLATOR live events" in a new partnership BELLATOR events per month" for the rest between the premium cable and of '21. Preliminary undercard matchups "will the ViacomCBS-owned fight promotion, stream for free on YouTube," and Showtime is according to Danny Segura of MMA JUNKIE. "offering new subscribers a promotional rate The partnership off Friday, April 2, with for Showtime’s OTT streaming service for $5 BELLATOR 255. Showtime Sports President a month (more than half off) for the next six SPORTS BUSINESS Stephen Espinoza: “We have a long history months." Viacom originally bought a majority JOURNAL with MMA that goes back for 15 years. ... stake in BELLATOR in '11 after "years of The time just felt right to combine forces. licensing rights to air its matches" (DEADLINE. Showtime Becomes Exclusive BELLATOR has matured and elevated itself com, 2/9). Home For BELLATOR In New at a point where it now belongs in premium Deal television.” Segura noted BELLATOR had been "streaming their preliminary fights on YouTube and their main cards on CBS Sports Network" -- a deal that began in September with by: GREG BEACHAM BELLATOR 249. Prior to that, the promotion was streaming fights on DAZN (MMAJUNKIE. February 10, 2021 com, 2/9). DEADLINE's Dade Hayes noted three straight Friday primetime BELLATOR cards in April, originating from in Connecticut, "will inaugurate the relationship."

#BELLATORMMA 8 BELLATOR.COM IN THE BELLATOR matches originating from Mohegan “preeminent home of premier combat sports DEADLINE Sun Arena in southeastern Connecticut will in America,” Stephen Espinoza, the network’s inaugurate the relationship. The arena is president of sports and event programming, PRESS Showtime To Air BELLATOR MMA part of a casino complex that has gradually said in a press release. “We are excited to Bouts In New Showcase For reopened parts of its footprint with safety build on what BELLATOR MMA has created ViacomCBS-Owned Circuit restrictions. It recently staged “bubble”-style and to amplify the momentum they’ve gained NCAA college basketball games, a concept over the last several years.” considered by many sports stakeholders by: DADE HAYES during the coronavirus pandemic. Together, Fighters and executives took part in an BELLATOR MMA and Showtime have held announcement of the partnership this February 9, 2021 more than 20 live events at Mohegan Sun afternoon, outlining schedules and cards for since July 2020. upcoming tournaments through the next few months. Plans call for Showtime to air up to Viacom, which merged with CBS in December two BELLATOR events per month for the rest 2019, originally bought a majority stake in of 2021. Preliminary undercard matchups will BELLATOR in 2011 after years of licensing stream for free on YouTube and Showtime is rights to air its matches. In recent years, offering new subscribers a promotional rate BELLATOR aired on various cable networks, for Showtime’s OTT streaming service for $5 including Spike (which then rebranded as the a month (more than half off) for the next six Network) and CBS Sports Network. months.

Showtime has recently increased its BELLATOR MMA President Scott Coker investment in boxing, a sport it has aired pointed to past collaborations with Showtime. ViacomCBS-owned fight circuit BELLATOR since 1986, at a time when longtime rival “We have done things together that have MMA will have its matches air on corporate HBO stepped out of the ring. Mixed martial shaped the sport of that cousin Showtime as the premium network arts has demonstrated appeal among you see today,” he said. “But what’s really continues to ramp up its investment in ring younger viewers. While BELLATOR does not exciting about this news is that everything sports. quite have the same profile as the UFC, its we have already accomplished is just the matches have maintained a steady following. beginning.” On three straight Fridays in April, primetime The new agreement will make Showtime the

#BELLATORMMA 9 BELLATOR.COM There will be a new tournament and a new BELLATOR also announced a light IN THE network for BELLATOR MMA this year. heavyweight grand prix, which showcases a number of the promotion's bigger free-agent PRESS signings in the past year. The fights are: - Corey Anderson vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov

NEWSDAY - Ryan Bader vs. Lyoto Machida

- Anthony Johnson vs. Yoel Romero BELLATOR announces light heavyweight grand prix in its BELLATOR announced Tuesday that its new - Vadim Nemkov vs. move to Showtime exclusive home for events will be Showtime, with fights on Friday nights beginning April 2. The events will air live across the country. by: MARK LA MONICA

"BELLATOR has matured and elevated itself February 9, 2021 to a point where it now belongs on a premium television network," Showtime’s Stephen Espinoza said.

Showtime and BELLATOR are both owned by Anderson and Yagshimuradov will off parent company ViacomCBS. the tournament on April 9, as will Bader and Machida. The other quarterfinals will BELLATOR will complete its featherweight take place on April 16, with the semifinals grand prix, with champion Patricio Pitbull scheduled for July and the final for October. Freire facing Emmanuel Sanchez in the remaining semifinal on April 2. The winner will face A.J. McKee for the BELLATOR title, the grand prix title and $1 million.

#BELLATORMMA 10 BELLATOR.COM IN THE begins with three consecutive Friday night tournament that includes two high-profile CBS SPORTS fight cards beginning April 2. BELLATOR signings in former UFC title PRESS Showtime has a long history of airing mixed challengers Yoel Romero and Anthony BELLATOR set for Showtime martial arts events on its platform, beginning "Rumble" Johnson. debut in April as -studded with EliteXC before a lengthy history with Light Heavyweight World Grand Strikeforce -- the promotion formerly headed Romero was a high-profile cut by the UFC in Prix headlines slate up by current BELLATOR president Scott late 2020, one fight after a close decision loss Coker. in a bid for 's championship. He challenged for the by: BRENT BROOKHOUSE "Everyone in this industry knows the history middleweight title three times in his final five that I have with Showtime. We have done fights for the UFC, with a fourth scheduled February 9, 2021 things together that have truly shaped the championship opportunity ultimately not sport of mixed martial arts that you see contested for the title after Romero missed today," Coker said. "But what's really exciting weight. about this news is that everything we have already accomplished is just the beginning. Johnson will be fighting for the first time 2021 marks a new era for BELLATOR MMA. since April 2017, ending a lengthy retirement With our new home at Showtime, we are going from active competition after his second stint to take this to a new level, and you are with the UFC. Like Romero, Johnson's most going to see us build upon the foundation that recent fight was a chance at UFC gold, losing a we have already set throughout my time with battle for the light heavyweight championship BELLATOR." against then-champion .

The 2021 schedule for BELLATOR MMA kicks BELLATOR 256 and 257, which take place The main event of the BELLATOR 257 card off in a big way this April with the promotion on Friday, April 9 and Friday, April 16, boasts reigning light heavyweight champion announcing a slate of big events which will respectively, will feature the beginning of Vadim Nemkov putting his title up for grabs air exclusively on Showtime, marking the the much-anticipated eight-man BELLATOR against former champion Phil Davis. company's debut on the network. The move Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix -- a

#BELLATORMMA 11 BELLATOR.COM IN THE PRESS One week prior at BELLATOR 256 on April 9, anticipated eight-man BELLATOR Light Connecticut, as will future cards which are the Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix kicks Heavyweight World Grand Prix. planned to feature middleweight champion off with former 205-pound champion -- and The entirety of the Showtime slate kicks off , champion reigning heavyweight champion -- Ryan Bader on Friday, April 2 with the BELLATOR 255 Douglas Lima, champion Juan battling Lyoto Machida in the main event. This event. The main event witnesses Patricio Archuleta and women's flyweight champion is a rematch of their 2012 encounter under Pitbull defending his BELLATOR featherweight Juliana Velasquez. the UFC banner which saw Machida emerge championship against Emmanuel Sanchez in victorious via second-round KO. The co- the semifinals of the Featherweight World main event, also a tournament bout, features Grand Prix. The winner will advance to the BELLATOR newcomer Corey Anderson -- fresh finals as champion to battle AJ McKee, off a promotional debut win in November -- who secured his spot in the finals with a versus Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov. submission victory over this past November. BELLATOR 256 and 257, which take place on Friday, April 9 and Friday, April 16, respectively, The upcoming events are scheduled to take will feature the beginning of the much- place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville,

#BELLATORMMA 12 BELLATOR.COM As BELLATOR prepares to start their 2021 are eligible in based on the following criteria: slate of events on new broadcast partner Showtime, the promotion is also introducing • A fighter may not be ranked until they have IN THE a new divisional ranking system. The system, completed one fight in the BELLATOR cage which will launch some time ahead of on a current contract. Fighters who previously PRESS BELLATOR 255 on April 2, will rank fighters fought in the promotion but left to fight across seven men's and two women's weight elsewhere before eventually returning will not classes. In addition, there will be men's and be automatically ranked, requiring one fight on women's top 10 pound-for-pound lists. their current term to become eligible. • After a period of 15 months of inactivity, fighters will be removed from the rankings. CBS • Fighters may be ranked in two weight classes once they have competed in both BELLATOR MMA to introduce divisions. The inactivity rule applies, with a official rankings across all weight period of 15 months of inactivity in a division classes and pound for pound resulting in the removal of eligibility for that weight class. • A fighter participating in a Grand Prix The rankings will be compiled based on the tournament will not be considered inactive in by: BRENT BROOKHOUSE votes of "reputable members of the MMA other divisions in which they are ranked. media." Ballots will be submitted following • A fighter serving a suspension by a February 18, 2021 the conclusion of every BELLATOR event. regulating body for non-medical reasons for a Tabulation of all submitted ballots will be period of greater than six months will result in handled by Combat Registry. removal from ranking eligibility. BELLATOR's 2021 schedule kicks off with Top 10 rankings, with a champion slot featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull and sitting atop, will exist for heavyweight, light Emmanuel Sanchez battling for the belt and a heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight, trip to the finals in the Featherweight World , featherweight, bantamweight, Grand Prix in the main event of BELLATOR women's featherweight and women's 255. BELLATOR 256 and 257 will feature the flyweight. start of the Light Heavyweight Grand Prix with all four first round bouts spread across the BELLATOR will exclusively determine eligible two events. fighters as well as what weight classes they

#BELLATORMMA 13 BELLATOR.COM IN THE promotion, providing a home for established BELLATOR roster since your arrival in 2014. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED fighters and emerging stars. Was it difficult to use patience as one of your PRESS guiding principles in the development of the Q&A: BELLATOR CEO Scott Coker BELLATOR’s new broadcast deal with roster? on the Current Landscape of Showtime is a key factor in its continued the Promotion growth. (BELLATOR and Showtime are both Scott Coker: This is definitely a ‘now’ business. owned by ViacomCBS.) On Friday night, for the Fans expect greatness. When we got this third straight week, a slate of live fights will roster turned over to us, there was some by: JUSTIN BARRASSO air as part of BELLATOR 257, a card headlined talent, but we needed a lot more. I knew we by a light heavyweight bout pitting Phil couldn’t just go out there and buy free agents; April 16, 2021 Davis against BELLATOR light heavyweight they just weren’t there at the time. We picked champion Vadim Nemkov. This is a rematch up people when we could, like Phil Davis, and of their November 2018 fight, which Nemkov then Ryan Bader came over shortly thereafter. claimed by split decision. It is also part of the We sprinkled some free agents in, but I’m BELLATOR Light Heavyweight World Grand from the old school and believe you have to Prix Tournament, where Ryan Bader has build from the ground up. That takes time to already advanced. cultivate.

Before BELLATOR 257, Coker spoke with Fighters like A.J. McKee, who’s fighting Pitbull Sports Illustrated, discussing the build of the [Freire] likely late this summer, is an example BELLATOR roster, Fedor Emelianenko’s next of taking a fighter and building up. Now he’s bout, and the potential of airing a special matched up with Pitbull, who’s pound-for- event on CBS. pound our number one fighter in BELLATOR. It Scott Coker is known for his work building takes fighters three, four or five years to get Strikeforce, the promotion he founded in 1985 Sports Illustrated: As evident in your work with ready to fight anybody in the world. That’s and sold to UFC in 2011. A decade later, Coker Strikeforce, you possess the gift of patience. the process; it just takes time. We’re good star is creating his next masterpiece. As president That is extraordinarily hard to have when identifiers and star builders, and this is just of BELLATOR, he is developing a top-tier MMA building a roster, but you have revamped the our beginning. We have added free agents,

#BELLATORMMA 14 BELLATOR.COM IN THE we’re going to add more, and we mix that with When I had Strikeforce, we had a Showtime/ guys we’ve built from the ground up. CBS deal. The people that were then back SI: Are there any potential dates you can share in ’11 when I sold Strikeforce to the UFC, they for a card on CBS? PRESS SI: Speaking of building, you now feature a are still there today. Stephen Espinoza is still light heavyweight division in BELLATOR that the man in charge there. David Dinkins, Sheila SC: That hasn’t been picked out yet, but I think can compete with any promotion in the world. Mills, Chris DeBlasio, Gordon Hall—it’s the you’ll see a BELLATOR special by this fall. exact same team. That’s why we were able to SC: We have the greatest 205 weight class dive in together the past two weeks and you’ll SI: In terms of branding, your lead broadcaster, on the planet. This tournament has eight see it again this week. , is a perfect representation of killers in it. It started last week with Bader and BELLATOR. [Lyoto] Machida, and now there’s the two fights this weekend. Vadim Nemkov–Phil Davis, that’s SC: The knowledge Mauro has of mixed going to be an amazing fight. I’m also really martial arts is quite spectacular. I’ve known excited to see what happens with [Corey] him for a long time, since he was doing Pride Anderson–[Dovletdzhan] Yagshimuradov. in the ’90s. When I think about the voice Whoever wins this gauntlet, he’s more of mixed martial arts, and combat sports in than World Grand Prix Light Heavyweight general, and someone who possesses that Champion. He’s the best 205-pound fighter on knowledge and passion and ability to tell a the planet. story, he’s number one.

SI: Airing on Showtime is also a significant I can’t wait to get these fights on the CBS SI: Looking ahead, the legendary Fedor part of the growth of the BELLATOR brand. network. The executives here really see the Emelianenko is ready to return to the cage. Big picture, what does this partnership mean vision, and that excites me. The roster we and Alistair Overeem have to BELLATOR? have now is the best roster in the history of both been rumored as potential opponents. Is the company, and now we’re with a network there an update on Fedor’s future? SC: I’m excited about this new relationship. that really knows how to promote combat We’ve had a lot of different partners, but sports. When you think about Showtime, with SC: A.J. versus Pitbull is likely happening Showtime, this is our home. Working with their BELLATOR and boxing, we are the best value in July. We just announced ’s executive team, it’s very much been a reunion. in combat sports. fight, we’re announcing Douglas Lima’s next

#BELLATORMMA 15 BELLATOR.COM IN THE opponent at BELLATOR 257, and we’re hashing just that is . Though he is going to dictate the next matchups, and PRESS out Fedor’s next opponent. We’re talking to now fighting with the UFC, so much of his Showtime is going to put on some great everybody—Alistair, JDS and some of our guys greatness was built in BELLATOR—and every content. internally make sense. win in UFC only enhances BELLATOR. This is like sudden death. If you win, you It’s going to be a spectacular event. There SC: This is the co-promotion, BELLATOR move on. If you lose, you go home. And are two fights left on his retirement tour. He’s versus UFC. That’s what people want to see. we’re giving a million-dollar bonus check to the greatest heavyweight of all time as far When Michael and I last spoke, I said, “Go kick the tournament winner, so the fighters are as I’m concerned, and I can’t wait to see him some ass and win that belt.” I really enjoyed pumped up. I’m looking forward to watching compete in his next two fights. Then he’ll his time here at BELLATOR. He’ll be in the Hall live. Unfortunately, the fans can’t be here in- probably retire, and maybe he’ll be a brand of Fame someday, and he’s done so much for person. I do see light at the end of the tunnel, ambassador for us. We should have something martial arts. I’m all about supporting Michael. but it might be a couple more months. Until to announce within the next two or three then, tune in to Showtime. weeks for Fedor, and it’s a very exciting time It’s not fighting for the name of a company for BELLATOR. that makes you great. It’s all about the individual fighters. And in every weight class, SI: Are there any details you can share on we have fighters that can fight anywhere in Fedor’s next fight? the world, including UFC.

SC: I’ll give you a little nugget. Fedor’s fight SI: Why should fight fans invest in BELLATOR will be in his home country [Russia]. 257?

SI: You mentioned Fedor as a brand SC: This light heavyweight tournament is ambassador, and another fighter doing really special. The fights this weekend are

#BELLATORMMA 16 BELLATOR.COM IN THE BELLATOR is finally back. After finishing hit, we really evaluated a couple locations out its contract with CBS Sports Network in and thought about where to have this bubble. PRESS December, the promotion is returning to the In order for us to continue to operate, under cage with a slew of intriguing matchups ahead the protocol that Viacom created, we needed in the coming months. We’ll see the return to create a bubble like the NBA did and the of its No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, Patricio Mohegan Sun worked out perfectly. They’ve Freire, on Friday in the semifinals of the been a great host for us and we’ve had fights BELLATOR featherweight grand prix against since July there, and I think we’ll probably Emmanuel Sanchez. be there at least there through maybe late THE ATHLETIC summer. The light heavyweight tournament will kick BELLATOR’s Scott Coker: ‘We off later in April headlined by a monster bout It seems like there’s light at the end of the have the best light heavyweight between Yoel Romero and Anthony “Rumble” tunnel, so we might be able to start doing division in MMA’ Johnson. A.J. McKee and , two of the biggest rising stars in the sport, also fight soon.

by: GREG ROSENSTEIN BELLATOR President Scott Coker sat down with The Athletic to discuss his promotion’s April 1, 2021 return to Showtime, their newly unveiled rankings and the fights he’s most excited about.

You’re at the airport headed to Hartford. It seems like Mohegan Sun has turned into a bit fights in major arenas around the country of a home for the promotion? again. But until that time, the Mohegan Sun is our home. , it’s been a great home. And when COVID

#BELLATORMMA 17 BELLATOR.COM IN THE What’s the latest you’ve been hearing in terms Strikeforce ended, its last show was in 2013. properties and explore different business of different states opening up for attendance? We were still on Showtime — that was the opportunities.” He was interested but we just PRESS Like you said, there does seem to be a light at last Showtime MMA broadcast. I was on a couldn’t come to a deal. There were budget the end of the tunnel. Do you think it’s going three-year non- compete. I ended talking to issues, things like that. But once a merger to be a while before you’re able to do that? a gentleman by the name of , who happened a year ago, it just made a lot of When I think about doing arenas, I think that convinced me to come over to Spike TV and sense for us to be reunited with Showtime. we will probably want to have more than just start showing fights with them and taking over Think about all of the great MMA fights one or two states open or three states open. the BELLATOR brand. or fighters that have built the brand in the Knowing the Viacom protocols and the people Showtime space. behind it — which do a very great job because their job is to ensure safety first — they When we had Strikeforce we were building probably feel a little bit more comfortable Tyron Woodley at the time, Daniel Cormier, knowing that the entire country is opened up Luke Rockhold, Ronda Rousey, the list goes and ready to go. on and on. They had really good success and helped catapult the next generation of You’re making your return to Showtime this athletes and they’re very good storytellers, week. You obviously have a great connection good brand builders. there from your past. How did that come about and what expectations do you have for When they said, “’we’re going to put you back the partnership? That was six years ago, going on seven years on Showtime,” it just made a lot of sense ago. So seven years ago, I took this job at to me. It was like a reunion in a lot of ways It’s actually a very interesting story because I Viacom to help Spike TV run its BELLATOR because the same people that were there 10 had a brand called Strikeforce and sold it to brand. Within a couple of years, we met years ago, or seven or eight years ago, are still the UFC. We were still on Showtime and CBS with Steven Espinoza. We said, “Is there an there today. at the tail end of the Strikeforce relationship. opportunity here because Spike is OK if we We still had the Showtime deal, and when take BELLATOR off- channel into different

#BELLATORMMA 18 BELLATOR.COM IN THE PRESS UK public-service broadcaster the BBC has MMA meeting to take place in France since acquired rights to US-based mixed martial the sport became officially recognised in the arts promotion BELLATOR until the end of the country. year. The BBC’s coverage under the new deal will begin with the BELLATOR 255 event on April 2, which will feature Patricio Freire versus Emmanuel Sanchez. Further events are SPORT BUSINESS scheduled for April 9, April 17 and May 7, with more bouts to be announced in the coming BBC to show BELLATOR events months. throughout 2021

UK rights to BELLATOR were previously held by pay-television broadcaster Sky and free-to- by: DANNY SEGURA The BBC will hold exclusive rights to air commercial broadcaster Channel 5. BELLATOR in the UK and will show live shows February 12, 2021 and on-demand highlights on its iPlayer The BBC’s deal with BELLATOR comes after digital platform. the series earlier this week signed an exclusive deal in the US with pay-television broadcaster The deal has been signed after the BBC Showtime. BELLATOR had previously been showed BELLATOR’s Paris event in October showing events on CBS Sports Network as last year. The event marked the first major part of a deal signed in September.

#BELLATORMMA 19 BELLATOR.COM