The approaching PFL vs. Bellator: Champions event marks the dawn of a new era, bringing with it an entirely fresh broadcast team.
Set to take place on February 24 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the event will be aired on ESPN+, DAZN, and ESPNews.
The event will be based on the inter-promotional competition, where PFL champions will take on their Bellator counterparts. The rest of the card will also feature standouts from both promotions and former title holders and challengers.
Following PFL’s acquisition of Bellator, the promotion has curated a team of analysts and commentators with ties to each respective brand.
MMA Junkie received details on the broadcast lineup from a promotion official on Tuesday, revealing the following:
Play-by-play: Sean O’Connell
Sean O’Connell, a former UFC fighter and PFL season victor, will guide viewers through the action, a role he has adeptly performed since the initiation of the PFL tournament format in 2018. O’Connell’s wealth of experience in the fighting arena adds a unique perspective to his commentary.
Color commentator: Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen, known as “The American Gangster,” brings his expertise from both UFC and Bellator to the commentary booth. With a storied fighting career, including a title fights against both Anderson Silva and Jon Jones, Sonnen’s insights promise to enhance the viewing experience for the head-to-head clashes between the two organizations.
Color commentator: Randy Couture
UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, boasting years of experience under the PFL banner, steps into the role of color commentator. Couture’s extensive fighting career adds depth to his commentary, offering fans a unique perspective on the unfolding events.
Color commentator: Dan Hardy
Former UFC fighter and analyst Dan Hardy completes the color commentary team, providing keen insights and analysis throughout the event. Hardy’s fighting background enriches his commentary, offering viewers a deeper understanding of the action in the ring.
Rules and scoring analyst: ‘Big’ John McCarthy
Officiating pioneer “Big” John McCarthy, transitioning from his previous role as Bellator color commentator, assumes the position of rules and scoring analyst. McCarthy’s in-depth knowledge and experience provide real-time insights into potential regulatory developments during the fights.
Reporter: Amanda Guerra
Amanda Guerra, making the move from the Bellator brand, will deliver reporting and interviews from backstage and within the crowd, adding a fresh perspective to the event.
Reporter: Josh Thomson
Josh Thomson, in a reporter role, will conduct interviews with the fighters’ teams from the corners, offering unique behind-the-scenes insights.
Betting analyst: Ian Parker
Ian Parker, with a track record in sports betting for the UFC and PFL, will provide expert analysis, enhancing the audience’s understanding of the betting landscape surrounding the matches.
Betting analyst: Jonathan Coachman
Longtime sports personality Jonathan Coachman, known for his on-air talent with WWE and as a pre-show analyst for PFL, will also dissect the betting lines, bringing his extensive experience to the commentary team.
As the PFL-Bellator era unfolds, a revamped broadcast team has been revealed, complemented by the addition of cage announcer Andy Shepherd, formerly associated with the Bellator European Series.
