DAZN's deal with Bellator begins with the September 29 card, which begins the eight-fighter grand prixGETTY IMAGES
Bellator's bid to "compete on equal footing with UFC gained major traction" yesterday when it announced a "nine-figure, multiyear deal to stream fights on the new DAZN over-the-top service," according to Lance Pugmire of the L.A. TIMES. The deal launches with a Sept. 29 card in San Jose, which will also "mark the beginning of the expected eight-fighter Bellator welterweight grand prix." Although none of the participants are yet "signed to that tournament, the DAZN investment is expected to lure all of the division’s major players," including Rory MacDonald. Additionally, there is "interest in starting the grand prix with a trilogy meeting between former champions Douglas Lima and Andrey Koreshkov." Viacom-owned Paramount Network also is "increasing its financial backing of Bellator in an ongoing push to boost its stable" after luring MacDonald and top-five contender Gegard Mousasi with an "eye on other pending free agents." Perform Media CEO Juan Delgado, DAZN's parent company, said that standing "as an equal with the UFC during the life of this deal is the initiative." Pugmire noted while the monthly subscription cost has "not been set," some sources "are bracing for a $10 to $15 price tag, more than double the $4.99 for the ESPN+ app that will begin airing UFC content in January." DAZN’s push demonstrates that it is "bullish on the prospect of combat sports." Delgado: "We understand current major sports are locked up in existing rights deals. Until that time, we needed to find an opportunity to penetrate the market and build a subscriber base for when the bigger rights come up. What we found is that fight sports is that category to start with" (LATIMES.com, 6/26).
