The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has managed to score a five-year deal with ESPN, in which the mixed martial arts promotion will be granted $300 million a year for their exclusive television broadcasting rights.
Every year, the UFC will be tasked with providing 30 Fight Night events and broadcasts of the preliminary cards for 12 UFC pay-per-views. All in all, it is a massive $1.5 billion deal for the promotion.
Speaking to MMA Fighting, Bellator President Scott Coker has decided to offer his thoughts on the rival promotion’s momentous deal with ESPN.
“I just read that this morning and good for them.” Coker said. “To me, it’s great for everybody. When I started this martial arts fighting business in MMA in 2006, there was no MMA on TV. Spike TV was really the first one to give MMA a chance.”
“This sport has come a long way and this is just solid proof that this sport is here to stay and it is not going anywhere.” Coker later finished.
