The Professional Fighters League (PFL), a rapidly growing and pioneering sports league, has revealed the initiation of the Bellator Champions Series with its inaugural event set to take place in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on March 22 at The SSE Arena, Belfast. Following the influential acquisition of Bellator, this marks the beginning of a new era in MMA.
The Bellator Champions Series will unfold in key MMA markets globally, showcasing world title fights and featuring top-ranked fighters in every event. This revamped series is a result of a significant collaboration between PFL and DAZN. Starting with Bellator 302 on March 22, fans across the UK, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, France, and other European markets can tune in to watch the Bellator Champions Series events during prime time on DAZN.
PFL CEO Peter Murray expressed excitement about the launch of the “Bellator Champions Series,” emphasizing its global reach and the participation of reigning Bellator Champions defending their titles against elite fighters from the Bellator roster. The partnership with DAZN reflects a commitment to delivering innovative formats and top-tier competition to MMA enthusiasts.
Pete Oliver, CEO of Growth Markets for DAZN, highlighted the alignment of DAZN’s innovation and promotion with the growing popularity of MMA. The Bellator Champions Series, according to Oliver, will provide DAZN customers with compelling matchups and exceptional fight nights, accessible through their widely available and award-winning app.
Bellator Champions Series kicks off with Bellator 302, featuring a headline bout for the vacant Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship between Corey “Overtime” Anderson and Belfast’s Karl Moore. Additionally, a Women’s Featherweight clash between Leah McCourt and Sinead Kavanagh promises an intriguing rematch from their 2022 encounter.
James Frewin, SVP International at PFL, expressed the league’s enthusiasm for the Bellator Champions Series, emphasizing the collaboration with DAZN to deliver a premium MMA experience to fans. Ticket sales for the Belfast event start on February 7, with further distribution details, including a U.S. broadcast partner, to be announced in the coming weeks.