You will not need a Showtime subscription to watch Bellator MMA this Friday.
The first Bellator MMA event on Showtime is this Friday, but if you’re worried about missing out because you don’t have a Showtime subscription, do not fret!
On Wednesday the promotion announced that Bellator 255, headlined by Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire vs. Emmanuel Sanchez will be available for free on a variety of platforms, including its the Showtime and Bellator YouTube channels.
From the press release:
The main card, in addition to airing live on SHOWTIME for subscribers, will be available for free to millions across the United States on industry-leading streaming services Pluto TV, Hulu, YouTube and FuboTV, in addition to participating television providers Armstrong, Buckeye, Liberty, Optimum and Suddenlink without the need for a SHOWTIME subscription. The main card of BELLATOR MMA 255: Pitbull vs. Sanchez 2 features five high-stakes matchups and is headlined by the next round of the Featherweight World Grand Prix tournament, as BELLATOR’s reigning lightweight and featherweight champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (31-4) defends his 145-pound title against Emmanuel Sanchez (20-4) in a semifinal bout.
The full 13-fight event, including eight preliminary fights, will live stream on the SHOWTIME Sports and the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channels, in addition to SHOWTIME’s official website (www.sho.com). The full event, which begins at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT, also will stream live on the SHOWTIME Selects and BELLATOR MMA channels on Pluto TV.
New subscribers can also sign up for a free 30-day trial for Showtime and pay just $4.99/month for six months after that free trial has expired.
Bellator moved from Paramount Network (formerly Spike TV) to CBS Sports Network late last year before jumping to Showtime, where Scott Coker has deep roots dating back to Strikeforce. Over the next several weeks the promotion will have events at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut, including the beginning of the light heavyweight tournament quarterfinals, with Yoel Romero vs. Anthony Johnson as the featured bout on May 7th.
As for this weekend, the winner of Pitbull vs. Sanchez will take on the winner of AJ McKee in the World Grand Prix tournament final.
You can watch Bellator 255 on Bloody Elbow in addition to following our coverage on Friday, April 2nd. Main card action begins at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT, with prelims at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT.