Channel 5 viewers were shown Peppa Pig rather than the main event of Bellator 206. Photo / Supplied/AP
UK fight fans were outraged when coverage of Bellator 206 in San Jose on Channel 5 cut off into an episode of Peppa Pig just minutes before the main event between Gegard Mousasi and Rory MacDonald as the fight league aired a landmark event live inthe UK.
Events have recently been aired on tape delay, but as the super-fight between middleweight champion Mousasi and welterweight champion MacDonald was set to begin, after a long main card which ran past three hours, fans were left raging at 6am when the broadcasters switched to their morning coverage.
OFCOM regulations stipulate that programmes with a 15+ age restriction cannot be aired from 6am, forcing Channel 5 to end their coverage. Bellator CEO Scott Coker said in the post-fight press conference: "Believe me there were emails going back and forth and they were not friendly. That's definitely a hiccup but we will definitely fix that going forward."
"Honestly, we thought we would be way off the air before the three-hour mark. It just didn't happen and we ran over and Peppa Pig took over, that's what happened."
"When they switched over, there were a lot of texts going back and forth and they all were not friendly. We were trying to fix it, we thought it was a technical glitch. I can promise you that the next time, it will not happen - we'll keep it to five fights instead of six like we normally do." Coker pledged to ensure the problem would not happen a second time, adding that the promotion is now working to ensure that a replay of the fight will be shown on Channel 5.
The main proved to be one-sided, Mousasi dominating the outmatched MacDonald over two rounds before finishing his opponent by ground and pound. There are weight divisions for a reason, and this looked a step too far for the slick middleweight champion.
In the quadrilogy contest between MMA veterans Rampage Jackson and Wanderlei Silva, the American stopped the Brazilian by TKO in the second round in a fan-friendly bout.
In the opening tie of the eight-man welterweight grand prix, Douglas Lima defeated Andrey Koreshkov by rear-naked choke in the fifth round of their bout, in a dominant display of striking and low leg kicks, and rising star Aaron Pico knocked out Leandro Higo in a scintillating, aggressive assault as the Californian moved up the ladder at featherweight.
In the USA, Bellator 206 aired exclusively on OTT streaming service DAZN in the USA.
The fight card delivered live, but the airing of the event in the UK will be remembered for 'Peppa Pig-Gate'.
The broadcasting mishap came as Bellator President Coker announced the appointment of David Green as Head of Bellator Europe. In his new role, Green will report to Coker and oversee Bellator's continued European expansion, including already-announced plans for a Western Europe-based fight series.
"We are pleased to welcome David to the Bellator team," said Coker. "His experience and knowledge of the U.K. market makes him a great addition to the organization. We look forward to him being an integral part of Bellator's growth as we continue to expand our footprint within the region."
Green previously served as CEO and founder of BAMMA, where many of the of the U.K.'s best up-and-coming talent was discovered. Initially launching the promotion in 2009, Green also oversaw BAMMA's TV rights negotiations and partnerships for the organization's 38 successful events held across Europe.
He also headed production and TV for IMMAF, the international sanctioning body for amateur mixed martial arts, for the last five years.
"Bellator's commitment to this region under Scott Coker is fantastic news for the sport and something I am very happy to be a part of," said Green. "There is considerable passion for MMA in Europe, yet still huge potential for growth, and with Bellator's resources, I am looking forward to delivering to the fans and the fighters what they really deserve. I will be looking to emulate Bellator's successful trajectory in the U.S., in what will be an exciting new chapter for the sport."
Bellator 206: Mousasi vs. MacDonald Main Card Results:
Gegard Mousasi (44-6-2) defeated Rory MacDonald (20-5) via TKO (punches) at 3:23 of round two
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (38-13) defeated Wanderlei Silva (35-14) via TKO (punches) at 4:32 of round two
Douglas Lima (30-7) defeated Andrey Koreshkov (21-3) via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:04 of round five
Aaron Pico (4-1) defeated Leandro Higo (18-5) via KO (punches) at 3:19 of round one
Keri Taylor-Melendez (3-0) defeated Dakota Zimmerman (0-1) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Gaston Bolanos (4-1) defeated Ysidro Gutierrez (4-3) via knockout (punches) at 1:37 of round two
Preliminary Card Results:
Adam Piccolotti (11-2) defeated James Terry (20-10) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Jeremiah Labiano (12-6) defeated Justin Smitley (10-8-1) via TKO (punches) at 3:28 of round one
Arlene Blencowe (11-7) defeated Amber Leibrock (3-2) via TKO (slam, punches) at 1:23 of round three
Josh San Diego (8-4) defeated Joe Neal (6-4) via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
Chuck Campbell (1-0) defeated Joseph Ramirez (1-2) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Anthony Figueroa Jr. (1-0) defeated Samuel Romero (0-2) via unanimous decision (29-27, 28-26, 29-26)
Cass Bell (2-0) defeated Ty Costa (3-4) via verbal submission (armbar) 3:06 of round two