02/06/2024
PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE LAUNCHES NEW BELLATOR MMA CHAMPIONS SERIES FOLLOWING MAJOR ACQUISITION
Bellator Champions Series to consist of eight star studded global events featuring Title Fights on every card
Bellator Champions Series set to launch in Belfast, Northern Ireland on March 22 at The SSE Arena, Belfast
Belfast’s Karl Moore faces Corey Anderson for the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship and Belfast’s Leah McCourt faces Sinead Kavanagh at Bellator 302
Bellator Champions Series events to be staged in MMA growth markets throughout the U.S., Europe and other international regions
Belfast tickets available this Wednesday, February 7 at ticketmaster.ie
NEW YORK (February 5, 2024) - The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest-growing and most innovative sports league, after their industry shaping acquisition of Bellator, has announced the first of eight Bellator Champions Series events will kick off in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Friday March 22 at The SSE Arena, Belfast.
Bellator Champions Series events will take place in top MMA growth markets around the world, featuring world title fights and world ranked fighters on each card. The reimagined Bellator Champions Series is part of a landmark agreement between PFL and DAZN. Beginning with Bellator 302 on March 22 on DAZN fans will be able to watch Bellator Champions Series events at prime times in the UK, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, France and other European markets.
“After the landmark acquisition of Bellator, the Professional Fighters League is excited to officially announce a new era of MMA with the launch of the ‘Bellator Champions Series’ global franchise” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “The Bellator Champions Series” will feature reigning Bellator Champion fighters defending their titles against the best fighters in the world from the start studded Bellator roster. Fans will have access to the best competition and the most innovate formats in MMA distributed by leaders in sport including DAZN.”
“The growth in popularity of MMA is being matched by the innovation and promotion that DAZN is delivering in partnership with the Professional Fighters League.” Pete Oliver, CEO of Growth Markets for DAZN said. “The Bellator Champions Series is another example of DAZN delivering fantastic matchups, where the best take on the best, and what promises to be some of the best fight nights in the sport for DAZN’s customers. All delivered by our award-winning app, which is widely available across smart and internet enabled devices, through a broad range of distribution partnerships, and with a variety of flexible and accessible price points."
Bellator Champions Series kicks off with Bellator 302, headlined by a battle for the vacant Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship between Corey “Overtime” Anderson (17-6, 1 NC) and Belfast’s own Karl Moore (12-2). In addition, Belfast’s Leah McCourt (8-3) faces Sinead Kavanagh (9-6) in a 2022 rematch.
“The PFL is excited to kick off the new Bellator Champions Series this March in Belfast,” said James Frewin, SVP International at PFL. “Along with our great partner DAZN we look forward to giving MMA fans a premium experience through the PFL’s eight Bellator Champions Series events.”
