History of Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA, previously known as the Bellator Fighting Championship, launched in 2008. Under the guidance of CEO Bjorn Rebney, Bellator has grown into the United States’ #2 Mixed Martial Arts organization. While they lack the mainstream appeal and brand recognition of industry leader UFC, Bellator has developed a devoted following due to their high-quality events, recognizable veteran fighters, and unique “season” format.

Unlike UFC, where matches are made in a more boxing-style fashion, Bellator operates on a “season” format. Each “season” features a single-elimination tournament in which eight fighters vie for $100,000 and a shot at the title. While this format does sometimes result in high-profile fights not happening, it adds a layer of suspense to every event. Not only that, $100,000 is a huge purse for anyone fighting outside of the UFC, so tournament final fights tend to deliver.

While Bellator doesn’t operate on the same level as UFC in terms of talent or production value, they are backed by Viacom, which means they have both a nationwide TV platform and a robust marketing presence. Consequently, the company’s profile has continued to grow, enabling them to sign a variety of former UFC stars, including Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Karo “The Heat” Parisyan, and Cheick Kongo. These recognizable names, coupled with a roster of homegrown stars including Eddie Alvarez, gives every event a dose of star power.

For sports bettors, Bellator offers a variety of enticing options. For one thing, the volatile nature of MMA and the tournament format means that upsets create mismatches. A fighter might advance in a tournament on the strength of a lucky punch, but lightning doesn’t usually strike twice, and that is a mismatch you can exploit. Also, the public in general is not as educated on Bellator’s roster as UFC, and sometimes lines get skewed, especially in fights involving high-profile UFC veterans. Bellator is only going to continue to grow and gain market share as fans crave competition, so now is the right time to start making money betting on Bellator. To learn how to maximize your profits, check out our Betting Guide [linkto: Betting Guide Page] for more information about how to bet on Bellator, which sportsbook to choose, and more.

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Author Rory Aldo