Bellator MMA Targeting Ireland for Event Before Conclusion of 2016

[TheEmperorRises]

Bellator MMA could break more international ground before year’s end.

According to a report from the42.ie, the California-based promotion could hold an event in Ireland sometime in 2016. Next year, Bellator could have an even greater presence on “The Emerald Isle.”

“I can’t talk in too much detail just yet but I think you’ll see us in Ireland sooner than you might expect. Probably before the end of this year we’ll have a fight in Ireland,” Bellator President Scott Coker said.

“As you know, Bellator is owned by Viacom -- who owns Channel 5 and Spike UK -- so I think that you’ll see us in that territory, and Ireland, this year and you’ll probably see us there four times next year.”

Thus far in 2016, Bellator has already traveled to London and Italy, with a future card set for Tel Aviv, Israel, on Nov. 10.

Buoyed by the rise of Conor McGregor, the UFC has held an event in Ireland each year for the past three years, including the upcoming Nov. 19 card in Belfast. Currently, 19-year-old James Gallagher, a native of Northern Ireland and training partner of McGregor, is the most prominent Irish fighter on the Bellator roster. However, Coker told the42.oe that the promotion is looking to add more talent from that region.

“We’re working with some of the top camps in the UK and Ireland in trying to find the up-and-coming new talent that will be the future of the sport,” Coker said. “There are a lot of great fighters from that region and we’re always looking for the next guy or girl to bring to Bellator.”

Full story here:
Bellator MMA Targeting Ireland for Event Before Conclusion of 2016

 

[Clappin'Daddys]

Bellator is giving a serious push for these international cards.

4 times in Ireland next year? They better start signing Irish fighters left and right.

Seems to me that Viacom is more serious about mma than most of us think. They need to get rid of tape delays tho.

 

[Ranger]

Bellator is supposed to go to Argentina by the end of this year too, if im not mistaken. There going to have a busy December if this is true. I hope they bring the heat when they close out the year. These upcoming cards look really good, but I wonder how well the December cards are going to be considering they are competing against UFC 206 when they are going to Italy, and they have Sakara vs Beltran headlining the event. That isn't good, if thats the best fight if they have on the mma portion of the event. I've been pretty underwhelmed with Bellator lately, and hope there next events deliver.

Some of it isn't their fault, some of it is, but at the same time I want to see better fights from bellator. Some of their fights make zero sense, like Goiti vs Couture or Jenkins vs Georgi. Anyways, should be interesting to see what they do with these international events. Looking forward to it but dont want to get my hopes up. I seem to keep doing that, and continue to get let down. Anyways here's to Bellator closing out the year with a Bang!

Really looking forward to King mo fighting in the HW tourney, and Chidi facing a top striker.

 

[Clappin'Daddys]

Bellator is supposed to go to Argentina by the end of this year too, if im not mistaken. There going to have a busy December if this is true. I hope they bring the heat when they close out the year. These upcoming cards look really good, but I wonder how well the December cards are going to be considering they are competing against UFC 206 when they are going to Italy, and they have Sakara vs Beltran headlining the event. That isn't good, if thats the best fight if they have on the mma portion of the event. I've been pretty underwhelmed with Bellator lately, and hope there next events deliver.

Some of it isn't their fault, some of it is, but at the same time I want to see better fights from bellator. Some of their fights make zero sense, like Goiti vs Couture or Jenkins vs Georgi. Anyways, should be interesting to see what they do with these international events. Looking forward to it but dont want to get my hopes up. I seem to keep doing that, and continue to get let down. Anyways here's to Bellator closing out the year with a Bang!

Really looking forward to King mo fighting in the HW tourney, and Chidi facing a top striker.

Did they really say arg by the end of the year? I know they had it lined up, but didn't know it was by the end of 2016.


Also. Some of these cards are built specifically for their domestic market. That Beltran vs sakara might not be a big deal in the states, but I'm sure itialy will go wild if sakara wins. They had a great event the first time they went to Italy; I'd be willing to argue this second one will be bigger financially.

It's a numbers game at the end of the day for bellator. They have to perform for daddy (Viacom)

 

[Punch]

I like the moves, bellaton. Keep at it!

 

[TheEmperorRises]

4 times in Ireland next year? They better start signing Irish fighters left and right.

They will for sure. They signed 3 fighters from Israel for that card. If they're making that many trips to Ireland, guaranteed they aren't going to just rely that heavily on James Gallagher.

 

[Ranger]

Did they really say arg by the end of the year? I know they had it lined up, but didn't know it was by the end of 2016.


Also. Some of these cards are built specifically for their domestic market. That Beltran vs sakara might not be a big deal in the states, but I'm sure itialy will go wild if sakara wins. They had a great event the first time they went to Italy; I'd be willing to argue this second one will be bigger financially.

It's a numbers game at the end of the day for bellator. They have to perform for daddy (Viacom)

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=427&v=_WWm7zLR95I


at the 7:00 mark he talks about the line up for the rest of the year. I get that they have to cater to the market in order to get ticket sales, but wouldn't benefit them more to get the best talent from that area, sign them to multi-fight deal, and acquire more talent for their roster? They also benefit from viewers too, if this card isn't very good on paper than UFC will more than likely cream them. At least they will have a fighting chance if they put on a decent card, unless if they are conceding, which I doubt they are given that they went head to head with the UFC during UFC 198.

 

[Carbazel]

I keep trying to get an answer about NY from them. Everyone else is coming and a few of their fighters live there.

 

[Clappin'Daddys]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=427&v=_WWm7zLR95I


at the 7:00 mark he talks about the line up for the rest of the year. I get that they have to cater to the market in order to get ticket sales, but wouldn't benefit them more to get the best talent from that area, sign them to multi-fight deal, and acquire more talent for their roster? They also benefit from viewers too, if this card isn't very good on paper than UFC will more than likely cream them. At least they will have a fighting chance if they put on a decent card, unless if they are conceding, which I doubt they are given that they went head to head with the UFC during UFC 198.

Yes this is the vid I was thinking about. I knew they had an Argentina event lined up, but couldn't put my finger on the date.

For the record, I don't disagree with you. I feel like bellator should always focus on americas ratings, I just try to look at things from different perspectives. I'm sure bellator is on a tight budget. If they want to go international, they will have to focus on that market first and foremost. Any other market is secondary.

 

[Wild]

Bellator is giving a serious push for these international cards.

4 times in Ireland next year? They better start signing Irish fighters left and right.

Seems to me that Viacom is more serious about mma than most of us think. They need to get rid of tape delays tho.

Apparently Viacom is very serious about MMA. And Coker is starting to stockpile young talent as well. The next 5 years are going to be interesting.

 

[CutmanMatt]

We're not going to Argentina this year. It was close, but didnt happen.

 

[Ranger]

We're not going to Argentina this year. It was close, but didnt happen.

So Bellator's last show will be December, and they have 3 shows in December? Also since you are hear, will Chidi be fighting before the years over?

 

[CutmanMatt]

So Bellator's last show will be December, and they have 3 shows in December? Also since you are hear, will Chidi be fighting before the years over?

There will actually be 4 shows in December. There's still a few announcements to make. Don't know about Chidi, I rarely see the fight card until the week of the show.

 

[Lukewarm Carl]

I keep trying to get an answer about NY from them. Everyone else is coming and a few of their fighters live there.

I know that the insurance policy that NY is requiring is going to be an issue for a lot of promoters. I know that Bellator can afford to to cough it up but I'm not sure they're willing to do so.

 

[CutmanMatt]

We tried to get a show in NY before the end of the year, but it was super political and theres some rule that you have to apply for a license 90 days out blah blah blah. I'd prefer we wait a bit anyway and put together a really great show rather than rush something just to be the first major promotion to do a NY show. We'll be there 1st quarter of 17 I would imagine.

 

[Cosuir]

BAMMA are also to hold another an event in Dublin in December..

 

[Ranger]

There will actually be 4 shows in December. There's still a few announcements to make. Don't know about Chidi, I rarely see the fight card until the week of the show.

I know you said, that you don't know the cards till the week of the show. But if gsp comes back (which he will) how does bellator plan to compete with ufc 206 in terms of ratings? They would need better fights than beltran vs sakara.

 

[CutmanMatt]

I know you said, that you don't know the cards till the week of the show. But if gsp comes back (which he will) how does bellator plan to compete with ufc 206 in terms of ratings? They would need better fights than beltran vs sakara.

Do you mean just in general? We don't have a show that same weekend so we wouldnt be competing directly.

 

[Ranger]

Do you mean just in general? We don't have a show that same weekend so we wouldnt be competing directly.

Isn't the Italy event the same day as UFC 206? I saw that they were on the same day.

 

[Cosuir]

BAMMA are also to hold another an event in Dublin in December..

So bellator are planning an event a week later in the same arena as Bamma (27 I think).. I was told by a very reputable source back in September that bamma had the 9th December booked. It might prove difficult for both organisation's to pull a big gate. Names and known fighters will sell to fans.. let's see who's willing to put on the biggest show

 

[Carbazel]

We tried to get a show in NY before the end of the year, but it was super political and theres some rule that you have to apply for a license 90 days out blah blah blah. I'd prefer we wait a bit anyway and put together a really great show rather than rush something just to be the first major promotion to do a NY show. We'll be there 1st quarter of 17 I would imagine.

I had read on AXS, something about Barclays. Either way, when it gets too cold MMA seems to steer clear of the area. LOL Although we do get a January card once in a blue in NJ. I'd like to see them in AC (Atlantic City), the city could use the revenue but its weird that its easier to get to things in NYC than NJ.

Thanks @CutmanMatt

 

[CutmanMatt]

Isn't the Italy event the same day as UFC 206? I saw that they were on the same day.

No, Italy is December 9th.

And I wish they'd just hurry up and announce the rest of the year because some of you in this thread are so fucking close but not quite there.

 

[Clappin'Daddys]

No, Italy is December 9th.

And I wish they'd just hurry up and announce the rest of the year because some of you in this thread are so fucking close but not quite there.

Why don't u just spill the beans then?

Don't worry; everything on the internet is confidencial

 

[TheEmperorRises]

No, Italy is December 9th.

And I wish they'd just hurry up and announce the rest of the year because some of you in this thread are so fucking close but not quite there.

Chael Sonnen vs Tito Ortiz at the Barclays Center?!?

Confirmed.

 

[Ranger]

No, Italy is December 9th.

And I wish they'd just hurry up and announce the rest of the year because some of you in this thread are so fucking close but not quite there.

Bellator Announces MMA-Kickboxing Event for Return to Italy on Dec. 10 in Florence | MMA News from Bellator

It will air on tape delay on the 10th, but the event will take place at the 9th right?