After announcing the signing of the two most recognisable play-by-play announcers in MMA, Mike Goldberg and Mauro Ranallo, Bellator have now confirmed what roles they will be taking during this weekend’s stacked pay-per-view event at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Ranallo will be providing the play-by-play commentary alongside color commentator Jimmy Smith for the main Bellator: NYC pay-per-view card headlined by Wanderlei Silva and Chael Sonnen, while Mike Goldberg will be the anchor at the studio desk.
However, earlier that same night Bellator 180 takes place live on Spike TV with the main event featuring a light-heavyweight title fight between Phil Davis and Ryan Bader, and for that portion of the broadcast the roles will be reversed, with Goldberg leading the commentary alongside Smith, while Ranallo will be back at the desk.
Ranallo is no stranger to being the voice of major broadcasts, having been front-and-center for MMA promotions like PRIDE, Strikeforce and Elite XC, as well as doing play-by-play for WWE and Showtime’s boxing events – including the upcoming mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor.
Of course, Goldberg also needs no introduction, having been the UFC’s lead commentator for 20 years as well as having called various other sporting broadcasts, including over 900 NHL matches.
Spike TV will also be offering a live pre-fight show that will be hosted by Jenn Brown and will include analysis from former fighter turned successful podcast host Brendan Schaub and current Bellator fighter Josh Thomson.
