Delighting the huge audience of mixed martial arts (MMA) fans in the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports has announced that it will be the exclusive destination to show the Bellator MMA 2019 beginning 16 February.

Based in Hollywood and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, Bellator MMA is a leading mixed martial arts and kickboxing organisation featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, it is available to nearly a billion people worldwide in over 160 countries. In the US, Bellator can be seen on Paramount Network and DAZN.

The one-year deal with the European pay-TV firm will see all US fights on the tour, as well those in London and Dublin, air exclusively on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event in the UK and Ireland.

The bell rings to begin the coverage with the long-awaited welterweight showdown between British rivals Michael ‘Venom’ Page and Paul Daley at Bellator 216 on 16 February at the Mohegan Sun arena in the US - airing in the early hours of the 17th for UK and Ireland viewers. Then MMA returns to Dublin for Bellator 217, where Ireland’s James Gallagher takes on Steven Graham on 23 February.

“This is a ground-breaking partnership for MMA in the UK and we are thrilled to finally bring live Bellator events to our passionate fanbase there,” commented Bellator president Scott Coker. “We have worked diligently to find the right network in the UK and Sky Sports will undoubtedly deliver for our viewers. I’m excited that that our fans overseas will now be able to be part of our events that take place around the globe and witness some of the best athletes in the sport today.”