Bellator MMA has announced they will start using an official ranking system based on media rankings, similar to the one used by the UFC, they announced in a press release Friday.
The company has long eschewed the UFC's ranking system, but with this announcement, they are continuing the major changes going on within the company, including free agency moves, as well as a contract with prestige cable channel Showtime.
.@BellatorMMA has launched its official rankings.
— Bellator Public Relations (@BellatorPR) February 18, 2021
More information can be found here: https://t.co/vOGTIKBzVN
Bellator president Scott Coker noted that this will gives fans an additional way to engage with the product, further going on to note how important this next year is, due to their impending Showtime contract.
"This is the greatest roster in the history of Bellator," said Coker. "As we continue to sign the top free agents in the sport and see the success of young prospects inside the Bellator cage, we felt that the time was right to introduce official fighter rankings. We are always looking at ways to improve our product and this adds a new and exciting aspect to the organization that will have a significant impact on how fans watch Bellator. Every division is competitive, every matchup is important, and we are set for several potential blockbusters as we begin a new year on Showtime."
Fightful MMA's editor Shakiel Mahjouri will be included in the initial panel, along with media members from a wide cross-section of your MMA media landscape, including media members from China, Russia, and Brazil.
#BellatorRankings panelists. pic.twitter.com/STsRwGu0jp
— MaRCeL DoRFF -------- (@BigMarcel24) February 18, 2021
Bellator returns to action April 2nd for Bellator 255 featuring Patricio "Pitbull" Friere facing Emamanuel Sanchez for the featherweight title in the main event.
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