The upcoming PFL vs. Bellator: Champions event marks the start of a new era, which will come with a new broadcast team.
The event takes place Feb. 24 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (ESPN+, DAZN, ESPNews).
Following PFL’s acquisition of Bellator, the promotion has crafted a team of analysts and commentators previously associated with each brand.
Tuesday, a promotion official informed MMA Junkie of the broadcast lineup, which can be seen below.
Play-by-play: Sean O’Connell
PFL 6 Ceremonial weigh-ins at the Overtime Elite arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Wednesday, April 27, 2022. (Matt Ferris / PFL).
Former UFC fighter and PFL season winner Sean O’Connell will man play-by-play duties, as he’s done since the start of the PFL tournament format in 2018.
Color commentator: Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen
“The American Gangster” Chael Sonnen, who has worked with both PFL and Bellator in the past, will provide color commentary for the event that features head-to-head fights between the two brands.
Color commentator: Randy Couture
UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture will also be on color commentary, a duty which he has assumed for years under the PFL banner.
Color commentator: Dan Hardy
Former UFC fighter and analyst Dan Hardy will complete the color commentary team, as he breaks down the action and provides analysis.
Rules and scoring analyst: ‘Big’ John McCarthy
Officiating pioneer “Big” John McCarthy transitions from his role as Bellator color commentator to rules and scoring analyst as he provides insight to potential regulatory happenings in real time.
Reporter: Amanda Guerra
Coming over from the Bellator brand, Amanda Guerra will provide reporting and interviews from backstage and in the crowd.
Reporter: Josh Thomson
Josh Thomson will partake in a reporter role, but his will be from the corners, as he conducts interviews with the fighters’ teams.
Betting analyst: Ian Parker
Ian Parker will provide insight into the world of sports betting, as he’s done for the UFC and PFL in the past.
Betting analyst
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 21: Jonathan Coachman attends Premiere Of “One Night: Joshua Vs. Ruiz” at Writers Guild Theater on November 21, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Also breaking down the betting lines will be longtime sports personality Jonathan Coachman, who has previously worked as on-air talent for WWE and a pre-show analyst for PFL.
The PFL-Bellator era is upon us, and a new broadcast team has been revealed.
Cage announcer: Andy Shepherd
Image via Lucas Noonan
Formerly of the Bellator European Series, Andy Shepherd will serve as the in-cage announcer.