Two MMA broadcasting pioneers return to the sport on June 24th…
After six months away from the sport, Mike Goldberg will be returning to the broadcast booth later this month. Following a two decade long stint calling fights for the UFC, Goldberg will now continue his career with Bellator MMA.
In addition to signing Goldberg, Bellator has also added the former voice of Pride FC, Mauro Ranallo. The two commentators have a combined 34 years experience calling fights.
Both Goldberg and Ranallo are scheduled to debut at Bellator’s Madison Square Garden debut, Bellator NYC, on June 24th.
Scott Coker Comments
Rumours that Goldberg and Bellator were in negotiations began to circulate earlier this year. In late February, Coker had the following to say regarding bringing Goldberg into the company:
“We have been talking but I feel like we have got a great team”, Coker said. “Sean (Grande) and Jimmy [Smith] do a great job, so we’ll see what happens. We have talked. We have a great team — and that’s the hard part. If we were starting all over, you know? Starting from scratch? Then maybe we could have more flexibility but we’re trying to see if we can fit him in and get something going but it’s not imminent and like I said, we have a great team.”
Sean Grande recently announced that he will not longer be continuing on as Bellator’s play-by-play man. Jimmy Smith appears to be staying with the company.
After two years of a challenge, an experience, a success I had no right to expect…
…it’s time to come home. https://t.co/Z9Ca0jQHSN
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) June 12, 2017
Earlier today, Coker had this to say regarding his two latest signings:
“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,”
“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.”
SpikeTV’s Senior Vice-President of Sports and Specials, Jon Slusser, had this to say about today’s announcement:
“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,”
Goldberg and Ranallo Comment
Goldberg posted the following earlier today:
Today is going to be a good day!!!! https://t.co/CWHLCnzB3z
— Mike Goldberg (@GoldieOnTV) June 13, 2017
He has yet to make a further statement.
Mauro Ranallo, who currently is the voice of Showtime boxing, tweeted out the following after the announcement:
https://twitter.com/mauroranallo/status/874696736387678209
Bellator NYC
Today’s announcement comes 11 days out from the company’s return to PPV on June 24th. Chael Sonnen vs. Wanderlei Silva, and Fedor Emelianenko vs. Matt Mitrione will main and co-main event the card.
While the lineup is geared towards the casual fan, with name-value trumping recent success, there are several other notable bouts for the less-casual supporters. Phil Davis defending his LHW title against Ryan Bader will be the main event of the preliminaries show on Spike. Douglas Lima defends his WW title against Lorenz Larkin, and Michael Chandler will defend his belt against Brent Primus.
