Finally, the anticipation was over.
Bellator debuted on the men’s network Thursday night to much hype, following huge advertisement campaigns on ESPN, CraveOnline.com and other big platforms. According to a report from Forbes, no less than 50 sponsors were on board for the promotion’s upcoming season.
Here’s how the MMA community reacted to Bellator’s Spike and Season 8 debut on Twitter:
Wheelock & Smith almost pulled a Musberger on Kate Winslet.Almost.;)
— Mauro Ranallo (@mauroranallo) January 18, 2013
Up next, Seth Petruzelli and Jacob Noe. How does this guy keep weaseling his way into main events?
— RJ Clifford (@RJcliffordMMA) January 18, 2013
Is it me or is Neil Melanson morphing into Wes Sims?
— Luke Thomas (@SBNLukeThomas) January 18, 2013
Dominant performance by Michael Chandler. Am I overlooking someone if I say he's the best fighter not in the UFC? Hawn got legit beasted.
— Jordan Breen (@jordanbreen) January 18, 2013
jay hieron is the only fighter to fight in Bellator, SF, UFC, WEC, IFL and Affliction
— CHippy (@mr_chipperson) January 18, 2013
BELLATOR IS COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU: THACKERVILLE OKLAHOMA, MT PLEASANT MICHIGAN, VACANT MATTRESS STORE IOWA
— Chris Nelson (@3amMMA) January 18, 2013
Never thought I'd see my Twitter feed dominated by the two headed monster that is Bellator and Oprah.
— Todd Martin (@ToddMartinMMA) January 18, 2013
Curran's forehead is marked and bruised -- from those headbutts he's been landing so effectively.
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) January 18, 2013
@robnashville I liked Newton's bull choke transition the most. "Wait, this probably hurts more if I do this."
— RJ Clifford (@RJcliffordMMA) January 18, 2013
Ah, the old bulldog choke-to-no-hooks rear-naked choke transition. What's up Pancrase in 1995. Newton forgot his spats and boots, though.
— Jordan Breen (@jordanbreen) January 18, 2013
Never been to an MMA fight but tonight, @jaymewes & I are heading to @bellatormma! See if you can spot us in the crowd on @spiketv at 9pst!
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) January 18, 2013
Am I hearing things, or did a Bellator commentator just call Antonio McKee an MMA legend?
— Jeremy Botter (@jeremybotter) January 18, 2013
Emanuel Newton's corner: "Hey, where's the water? Oh well, too late!" How do you lose the freaking water?
— Mike Whitman (@mikewhitmanmma) January 18, 2013
— Carlos Arias (@PunchyMcGee) January 18, 2013
Do people who have never seen #MMA know they don't light the fighters hands on fire before they enter the cage? #Bellator
— Tommy Messano (@ULTMMA) January 18, 2013