Virgin Media picks up Bellator rights in Ireland

Telco Virgin Media has announced that it has acquired rights in Ireland to the Bellator mixed martial arts promotion events in Europe.

The deal’s duration was not announced. It will exploit the rights on its Virgin Media Sport channel.

Virgin’s rights to Bellator may be non-exclusive, at least for this year, as rights in Ireland to some European events in 2019 are also held by UK pay-television broadcaster Sky.

Virgin’s coverage of the promotion will begin on June 22 in an event that will feature rising Irish fighter James Gallagher.

It said it will give further details on its coverage in due course.