USA TODAY International Edition
Bellator, CBSSN hook up
UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Bellator’s return tonight might seem just like another event, but it’s significant to the promotion’s history.
Airing on a new night, Bellator 249 signifies the first major event the MMA promotion has held on its new broadcast home, CBS Sports Network. The shift from Paramount Network to CBS Sports Network was a long time coming.
In an effort to fill the void left by the UFC’s departure to Fox Sports in 2013, Bellator debuted on the network in January 2013 when it was still branded as Spike TV. With programming such as Spike TV’s “Most Extreme Elimination Challenge” and “1000 Ways to Die” to Paramount’s “Yellowstone” and “Two and a Half Men” reruns, Bellator became more of a blatant outlier on the entertainment channel.
CBS Sports Network provides a sports- centric home for the mixed martial arts promotion, and the new Thursday night scheduling alleviates Bellator from going head to head with the UFC, which runs on Saturdays.
“It’s a great opportunity to showcase some of the best events and biggest names in the sport,” CBS Sports executive vice president of programming Dan Weinberg told USA TODAY Sports. “Adding Bellator MMA to the CBS Sports portfolio will allow for greater promotion, engagement and exposure across all our platforms and assets.”
Bellator President Scott Coker echoed Weinberg’s enthusiasm and the potential to reach new viewers.
“CBS Sports is synonymous with iconic sports broadcasting, and it is incredible to now have Bellator MMA included in that family,” Coker said. “I look forward to bringing the biggest fights, featuring the top athletes in the world, live to CBS Sports Network and introducing Bellator to an entirely new audience this fall.”
Bellator 249’ s four- fight main card airs live from Mohegan Sun Arena at 10 p. m. ET. Atop the billing, women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg ( 22- 2) aims to successfully defend her title for the first time against Australia’s Arlene Blencowe ( 13- 7).