Is Bellator about to give the UFC a run for their money

Emanuel Newton (r) and Muhammed Lawal (l) battle it out during their Bellator 106 light heavyweight title fight at the Long Beach Arena, November 2, 2013. Lawal won the close fight by split decision. Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

We keep seeing all these Bellator MMA upgrades, major improvements, and before you know it, it could be that the UFC will no longer be checking in the rearview mirror – they’ll be neck to neck with their competition. On Wednesday, the multimedia entertainment studio Electus, an operating business of IAC announced they had secured new deals for Bellator with broadcasters in Australia (Network Ten), France (RTL9), Italy (Discovery), Spain (15 TV), Portugal (SIC) and Croatia (Fight Channel). They also renewed deals with broadcasters in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong (Celestial Tiger Entertainment), Israel (Ananey), Poland (NC+) and Bellator continues its partnerships in Latin America with Fox Sports, Brazil (Esporte), Russia (R2), the Middle East (OSN) and New Zealand (Sky Networks). Statement of fact: Bellator MMA can now be seen in over 400 million homes worldwide in over 120 countries. Wow! 

Ever since Scott Coker took over as Bellator’s president in June of 2014, the changes have come fast and furious. It makes you wonder, as a child was Coker some sort of phenom at putting those jigsaw puzzles together, the mind blowing 5,000 to 9,000 piece mind blowers, because that’s what he’s had to do with Bellator MMA. In one of the toughest businesses to make money, the fighting sports, he’s making it look easy by putting the right pieces (people) in the right place and then using the right gadgetry. Like using these videos in his new InFocus Series:

The next Bellator event, “Bellator 134:  The British Invasion,” takes place Friday, February 27th at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT, featuring the UK’s best fighters including Paul Daley and Liam McGeary. This special event will include a Super Fight between “King Mo” and Cheick Kongo. It’s country versus country and you can take stock in Scott Coker’s claim: “This will be a war.”

 
In addition to having the well matched, even-steven match-ups, Bellator MMA is going out of it’s way to introduce these amazing warriors to the public. As HBO did with their pre-fight HBO 24/7, check out this well done intro to the Interim Light Heavyweight Champion Emanuel Newton.

After five rounds of out-striking and defending King Mo’s takedowns, the 31 year-old, 6’1” Newton (25-7) from Long Beach, CA emerged the winner and first man to hold a Bellator Interim championship. With the win, he staked his claim as the next man to face Attila Vegh (29-5) for the Bellator Light Heavyweight title. It will be a second opportunity for Newton to avenge an earlier decision loss to Vegh on July 20, 2012 at Bellator #72. In their two, close battles, both have won once and both were by decision.

Bellator MMA’s Emanuel Newton is what you’d call a very unique individual. Newton has always taken a different path. His journey continues February 27th on Spike TV as part of their show “The British Invasion” when he takes on tough guy “Mighty Mo” Lawal.

People speak their mind about Newton’s eccentricities:

Fromundachees: “Mad respect, cool dude with unique and interesting perspective on life/spirituality. Obviously did his reading on the occult/esoteric elements of life and lives by it. Knows where his ledge is and walks along that path. Nice to see some background to the warrior, a true warrior and a poet as well.”

Troy Newsome: “He’s a beast in the ring! But humble still… Through all his trials, losing both parents, and the accident, staying the way he is… I’m a fan for a real brother!”

David21ss: “Reputation comes from what you do, not from what you’re gonna do! And you sir are doing it. Keep it up.”

4Hetheringtonn: “My argument is biased but when someone claims they are world champion, it should be because they are the champion of the sport. Bellator is a B level organization and therefore doesn’t deserve the title of being a world champion of the sport of MMA. Its kinda like saying I’m the world champion of MMA in my bedroom.”

datguy729: “While I agree Bellator does not compare to the UFC talent wise, Bellator is anything but a “b” level organization. You can’t tell me the average Bellator fighter wouldn’t beat the average Pancrase, KOTC, Cage Rage, or One FC fighter? Regardless, calling Bellator a “b” level organization is your opinion, not fact, that’s why “Newton” calls himself a world champion.”

What are your thoughts concerning Bellator’s full speed ahead progress?