Move Over WSOF, NBC Tries To Get In Bed With Bellator

By Evan Stoumbelis

The MMA Report reported, and Bleacher Report’s Jeremy Botter confirmed, that NBC tried to work out a deal with Bellator fighting championships to air Bellator’s prelims on the network.

World Series of Fighting (WSOF) has a preexisting deal with NBC, however the network bumped their prelims to an online stream. WSOF attempted to start a competition between the two promotions with a WSOF vs. Bellator “Winner take all profits” card, however Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney was quick to say he is uninterested in the idea.

The MMA Report reported that sources told them that NBC approached Bellator with an interest in airing the prelims for the upcoming Bellator tournament on NBC. However the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement after Bellator turned down a multi-year offer.

In the past Bellator’s prelims have aired on Spike.com, after turning down NBC’s offer it seems Bellator will continue airing them with Spike.com.