There was a time not so long ago when we complained there was not nearly enough mixed martial arts to fill the schedule. We would often have to wait a month or more between events, and even then, we’d only get to witness a five-fight main card. Eventually, things changed. New broadcast deals were reached, and before long, there were marathon events on television every weekend. Now things have shifted again. MMA remains a weekend staple, but the battleground has moved to the digital realm.
Saturday marks the first time MMA’s two behemoths — UFC and Bellator — go head-to-head in primetime on their new streaming platforms, and they’re doing so with cards that appeal mainly to hardcore fans.