According to a report, both The Khans are interested in purchasing the Bellator MMA organization. Details on this, below.
Tony & His Dad Want To Buy Bellator MMA
Right now, the father-son duo own AEW, Fulham, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, it looks like they want to add to the roster with a Bellator MMA purchase.
The current owner, Scott Coker, recently notes that Bellator MMA is for sale, and there have been talks with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). During a recent edition of The MMA Hour, Ariel Helwani states that he’s heard “multiple” players are interested in Bellator.
Helwani notes that PFL was one that looked into purchasing Bellator MMA. He also revealed they backed out and now are “back in the mix” as a possible buyer.
Ariel goes on to say that Liberty Media and the Khan family have “looked into” buying the MMA organization. He adds, he’s not clear to what degree, and clarifies that when he’s talking about the “Khan” family he means Shad and his son Tony.
Currently, UFC is thought to be the number one promotion, with Bellator MMA right behind them. Most of their programs are broadcast on Showtime, but they struggle to gain traction or even become a threat to the UFC.
There’s always the chance that the father-son twosome purchase the company and transform it into a force to be reconned with. Even if they, PLF, or another organization buys Bellator MMA they may be able to breathe new life into the promotion.
Right now, the promotion is owned by Paramount Global, an organization formed in 2019 when Viacom and CBS merged. Interestingly enough, AEW and Bellator have crossed some paths before.
With WWE recently merging with UFC’s parent company, Endeavor, will AEW make the jump and purchase Bellator MMA? Only time will tell.
