Bellator announced Tuesday afternoon that it has signed former UFC broadcaster Mike Goldberg along with former PRIDE and Strikeforce commentator Mauro Ranallo. The duo will first team up on Spike TV for Bellator 180 on Saturday, June 24.
“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,” said Bellator MMA president Scott Coker. “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."
Bellator 180 will be headlined by a grudge match between Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva and will also feature a clash between heavyweights Fedor Emelianenko and Matt Mitrione.
Goldberg’s contract was not picked up and left UFC this past January after nearly 20 years of handling play-by-play duties for the promotion. Ranallo was most recently employed with the WWE but the two sides mutually agreed to part ways in late April. He will continue his duties working with Showtime Boxing.
The signings come just a day after Sean Grande announced that he was stepping aside from his announcing duties and would be leaving the company.
“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,” added Spike SVP, Sports and Specials Jon Slugger.
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