Bellator to Give Fans Exciting Fights, Will Fans Attend?
Photo by Josh Hedges. Copyright Zuffa, LLC
It was announced today that Bellator just inked 6-foot, 3-inch “The Beast” Bryan Baker (11-1) for the season two middleweight tournament. The constant announcements of signed fighters for the up-coming season means we will see plenty of exciting fights. Bellator is doing exactly what they need to in order to build the organization but will the fans show their support and buy tickets?
The addition of Baker is a good one for the tournament. He is a former high school wrestler who is now a black belt in judo and trains at Team Wildman in Denver, Colorado. He has wins against UFC veteran “Outburst” Rory Singer (12-9) and former IFL Grand Prix winner “Suave” Matt Horwich (24-13-1).
Baker says his singular goal is to advance through Bellator’s Season 2 tournament to earn the chance to take on reigning World Middleweight Champion Hector Lombard.“I put so much effort into my training that it gives me 100 percent confidence that I’m going to win every time,” Baker said. “Lombard has the belt and I’m coming for his belt. I’d say that he better stay on top of his training or else he’s in for a big surprise.”
This is just one of many additions Bellator has made in their off season. Former Olympian and highly touted prospect Ben Askren (3-0) signed an exclusive long term agreement and will participate in the welterweight tournament. Hardcore MMA fan favorite Dan Hornbuckle (14-2) also looking to make a splash in the welterweight tournament. Other fighters include “The Taz” Bao Quach (16-9-1), William Romero (4-0), Jim Wallhead (17-5) and Mike Ricci (1-0) to name a few.
Bellator is doing what many fans have been wanting to see for a long time. They are taking all the highly touted prospects along with a few well established fighters and giving them a way to fight one another. I see Bellator as an organization that is becoming the proving grounds for these prospects. They will have to step in the cage, face each other and then look to fight men like Bellator FC middleweight champion Hector Lombard (22-2-1) and lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez (17-2).
I have no idea what Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney has planned for the future or where he sees his organization in comparison to the UFC but I feel they could become the perfect feeder organization for Dana White, Joe Silva and the UFC. The only question remaining is if the fans will actually support them and get out to am event.
Last season the events seemed to be lacking fans from what I could tell. I wonder if the periodic signings slowly trickling out is a planned event in order to keep them in the news and to bring in more fans? If so it is a brilliant move. I have seen more people talk about this company in the last 6 months then I did during their first season. If this is any indication the fans will come out to support all the hard work they have put in to the new season and tournaments.
I have my doubts but with four events in Kansas City I hope for the best. The Midwest is a hot bed for MMA with hardcore fans that follow even the most obscure fight organization. My question to you is, will you be attending a Bellator event?
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If they do a show in Chicago again this year, I will be there
Why would an organization that has a better TV deal that UFC be a feeder organization? I get so tired of hearing this garbage. How about challenging UFC to actually develop some fighters. Why should we pay $45 to watch the same guys fight over and over.
And the commentary on attendance, did you do any research. My understanding from published reports is that Bellator sold out 5 of its 11 events last season. That is awesome for a MMA organization that basically nobody was familiar with. I went to Mohegan Sun event and the place was packed. At least 8,000 people there. That is just as good as any WEC event or UFC Fight Night. If they improve on solid numbers they showed last year, they become direct competitor of UFC and Strikeforce.
Pretty poor research here from this writer.
Yes Frank, I did my research. Their crowds were sparse compared to what they could have been. They had an event in my home town which loves MMA and they crowd was very small.
As for them being a feeder, sure they could challenge the UFC but it has not been a very wise course of action for other organizations. Does that mean no one should try? No it does not but I feel Bellator seems to know where they fit in and plan on keeping on the this course.