DAZN, the Perform Group-owned live and on-demand sports streaming service has augmented its portfolio by inking a landmark multi-year global distribution agreement with Bellator, an American mixed martial arts promotion company.
The nine-figure global deal will see 22 Bellator fights streamed live and on-demand every year on DAZN. The actual amount of the deal was not disclosed.
All the fights be will available in every country where DAZN is available, which includes Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, Canada and, from this summer, the U.S. and Italy. Fans can watch DAZN anytime, anywhere, with a one-month free trial, an affordable subscription and no long-term contract.
Bellator President Scott Coker said, “The exciting new partnership with DAZN is a game-changer for Bellator. The investment will enable us to continue expanding our roster with free agents that make sense, so we can put on PPV-worthy fight cards that fans want to see. Plus, on DAZN’s worldwide platform, our fights will be seen live for the first time to new audiences around the globe.”
DAZN CEO James Rushton said, “Our multi-year streaming partnership with Bellator is a significant step in the development of DAZN and our fight sports offering. As the new destination for Bellator fans to watch all the action, it’s our aim to grow the popularity of the sport on the world stage.”
“With the combination of this investment in Bellator and our recent announcement to bring more than 30 nights of boxing to the platform annually, DAZN is a must-have for fight fans across all our markets.”
The deal with Bellator follows Perform Group and Matchroom Boxing’s $1bn joint venture, announced last month, to create Matchroom Boxing USA. DAZN will be the exclusive broadcast partner for the new venture, screening over 30 fight nights a year, and featuring some of the sport’s biggest stars at the best venues.
Also Read: Perform Group and Matchroom announce $1 billion boxing deal
Perform Group has said in a statement that the investment in Bellator and Matchroom Boxing USA will reignite fans’ passion for combat sports and engage a new generation of fight fans. Backed by Access Industries, Perform Group is changing the world of sport for fans.
The deal begins with an event on Saturday, September 29 from SAP Center in San Jose. The card features a highly anticipated middleweight title fight pitting Gegard Mousasi (44-6-2) against Rory MacDonald (20-4), who is moving up a weight class for a title shot against the 185-pound champ, along with the fourth fight in the legendary rivalry between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (37-13) and Wanderlei Silva(35-13).
Also included on September 29 will be the opening fight of Bellator’s first-ever Welterweight World Grand Prix, which will feature eight of the best welterweight fighters on the planet. The Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix will be a major component of the first year of the multi-year agreement between Bellator and DAZN.
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