There was a time not so long ago when we complained there was not nearly enough mixed martial arts to fill the schedule. We would often have to wait a month or more between events, and even then, we’d only get to witness a five-fight main card. Eventually, things changed. New broadcast deals were reached, and before long, there were marathon events on television every weekend. Now things have shifted again. MMA remains a weekend staple, but the battleground has moved to the digital realm.
Saturday marks the first time MMA’s two behemoths — UFC and Bellator — go head-to-head in primetime on their new streaming platforms, and they’re doing so with cards that appeal mainly to hardcore fans.
In the main event, Rory MacDonald (20-5 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) defends his UFC welterweight championship against Jon Fitch (31-7-1 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) in a bout which doubles as a quarterfinal match in Bellator’s grand prix tournament. The co-feature is also a title bout, as Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (9-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) defends her flyweight crown against Veta Arteaga (5-2 MMA, 4-2 BMMA).
You can watch the face-offs for all of the main-card bouts in the video above, and also one for Macfarlane-Arteaga below. And don’t miss our photo gallery, as well.
Bellator 220 takes place Saturday at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. The main card streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.
For more on Bellator 220, check out the Rumors section of the site.
