The Professional Fighters League (PFL) mixed martial arts promotion has announced that Belfast’s SSE Arena will host the first event in its new Bellator Champions Series next month.
The US-based PFL completed the acquisition of Bellator from Paramount Global back in November, with the move designed to create a “global powerhouse” in MMA. All newly acquired Bellator fighters became part of the PFL platform following the deal.
At the time, the PFL said it would launch a reimagined Bellator product entitled Bellator Champions Series, which will comprise eight fight events each year in major cities around the world.
Belfast has now been announced as the host of the first of these events, with SSE Arena to stage the fight night on March 22. Bellator 302 will be headlined by a battle for the vacant Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship between Corey Anderson and Belfast’s Karl Moore.
Bellator Champions Series has been created as part of an agreement between PFL and sports streaming service DAZN.
PFL chief executive Peter Murray said: “After the landmark acquisition of Bellator, the Professional Fighters League is excited to officially announce a new era of MMA with the launch of the ‘Bellator Champions Series’ global franchise.
“The Bellator Champions Series will feature reigning Bellator champion fighters defending their titles against the best fighters in the world from the star-studded Bellator roster. Fans will have access to the best competition and the most innovative formats in MMA distributed by leaders in sport including DAZN.”
Tickets for the Belfast event will be available via pre-sale tomorrow (Wednesday), before going on general sale on Thursday.
