Bellator will make its debut in Rome on Saturday with Bellator 203 at Foro Italico, a sports complex that was completed in 1938 during Benito Mussolini’s dictatorship.
According to its Wikipedia page, Foro Italico is “lauded as a preeminent example of Italian Fascist architecture instituted by Mussolini” and was constructed with the idea of bringing the 1940 Olympic Games – which were canceled because of World War II – to Italy’s capital city.
There’s a little bit of history for you.
If Bellator returns to Rome, there’s a chance the next event could be held in a much, much older and more historic venue.
On Wednesday during a press conference to promote Bellator 203, Rome Capital Sports Commission president Angelo Diario said he would like to have the promotion host an event at the – yes, that Colosseum. The Colosseum.
THIS COLOSSEUM RIGHT HERE:
Modern-day gladiators competing inside the Colosseum? Imagine what a Bellator event would look like there.
“(Expletive) amazing,” Bellator President Scott Coker told MMAjunkie. “That’s what it would look like.”
The possibilities – gladiators lining up the walkway, emperors, chariots. And what about tigers? Ooh tigers! OK, we’re getting a little bit ahead of ourselves here.
Coker said the event would be a high-end, invite-only type of deal with a maximum 500-600 people attending. He also indicated the promotion would be willing to do it for charity.
But this can’t happen without the approval of the Italian government. For what it’s worth, events being held at the Colosseum isn’t out of the ordinary. Just last month, the cast of Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” reunited for a charity screening of the 2001 Oscar winner for Best Picture.
The first step to making a Bellator event at the Colosseum happen is that Rome’s commission chief is committed to it, which is great. In order for this to become a reality, though, the Italian government will have to approve it. Coker said the initial feedback from the country’s minister for sport at least is good.
“He gave us some positive remarks and said that’s a possibility now, which is unbelievable,” Coker said. “That’s like one of my goals. … That’s a dream come true. We’re going to work hard to make this happen.”
Full story here:
Rome's commission chief wants to bring Bellator to the Colosseum, which sounds awesome