Controversy follows Bellator. Or, perhaps, Bellator creates controversy for itself. Whatever the process or arrangement, the two are linked, perhaps inextricably.
For the second time in 18 months, strongly worded opinions have been publicly issued by noteworthy figures inside mixed martial arts about the veracity of Bellator main events. Among others, UFC commentator Joe Rogan expressed skepticism about Bellator 138’s Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock contest in June of 2015. In January, Dan Hardy — again, among others like Yves Edwards — felt something was amiss in Bellator 170’s Chael Sonnen vs.