Description
Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) is an American mixed martial arts promotion founded in 2008.
At one point considered the second largest in the United States and one of the largest combat sport promotions in the world, Bellator's first event was held in 2009, and the promotion has since held over 300 "numbered" events. The promotion takes its name from bellātor, the Latin word for "warrior".
Paramount Global (formerly Viacom) purchased majority ownership of Bellator from founder Bjorn Rebney in 2011, with Paramount's television networks serving as the promotion's media partners in the United States. On November 20, 2023, after Bellator's then-broadcaster Showtime announced the discontinuation of its sports division, Bellator MMA was acquired by the Professional Fighters League; PFL plans to maintain the Bellator brand for selected events, and allow its roster to compete in PFL events.
