Bellator MMA signs Mike Goldberg, Mauro Ranallo to multi-event agreements
By Mike Heck
Bellator MMA announced on Tuesday that veteran broadcasters Mike Goldberg and Mauro Ranallo have signed with the organization to multi-event agreements, starting with Bellator NYC on June 24.
One day after Sean Grande announced his departure from Bellator MMA, Scott Coker and company announced that they have signed not one, but two well-known veteran broadcasters to the commentary booth.
During the Bellator NYC conference call, along with a press release, Bellator MMA announced the hirings of former UFC play-by-play voice Mike Goldberg and longtime combat sports broadcaster Mauro Ranallo to multi-event agreements. The first event the pair will be featured on will be the organization’s debut at Madison Square Garden on June 24, as Bellator MMA will present Bellator 180 on Spike TV, followed by Bellator NYC, which will air on pay-per-view.
“Mike Goldberg and Mauro Ranallo are two of the best in our business and I couldn’t be happier about them joining the Bellator family,” Bellator MMA president Scott Coker said in a press release. “In addition to June 24, we look forward to working together to make future Spike broadcasts even more exciting for our fans as we add further depth to an already-exceptional broadcast team.”
“The addition of highly-regarded announcers Mauro and Mike to our fantastic lineup of broadcasters, and our first-rate production led by Scott Fishman, further demonstrates our commitment MMA fans and expanding the global Bellator brand,” added Spike SVP, Sports and Specials Jon Slusser.
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Goldberg will return to the combat sports commentary world for the first time since UFC 207 back in December, when the longtime voice of the UFC was relieved of his duties after a 9-year stint with the organization. Goldberg will appear on Spike TV for the first time since 2011. Goldberg has been a commentator for every major sport, most notably, calling 900 NHL games for national broadcasts, and for Minnesota Wild, Vancouver Canucks and Detroit Red Wings.
Ranallo will reunite with Coker, as he was the former commentator for Strikeforce MMA until the company merged with the UFC in 2013. Ranallo was also the play-by-play voice for North American broadcasts of Pride Fighting Championships, Elite XC, WWE, Showtime boxing and many others along the way.