Bellator reportedly debuts on Spike TV on January 10, moves to Thursday nights after Impact Wrestling

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

The UFC isn't the only promotion moving away from Friday nights, as Bellator Fighting Championships will head back to Thursdays this January when they move to Spike TV.

According to a report from MMAJunkie.com, Bellator's Spike TV debut will come on January 10, and additionally, the report states they've secured the date with Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall. That was confirmed by New Jersey State Athletic Control Board counsel Nick Lembo.

Bellator is expected to follow TNA Wrestling's Thursday night broadcasts on Spike, a sensible move given they've already blurred the line with the organizations by having Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal in both. The January 10 event will serve as Bellator 85.

The organization previously ran Thursday nights when they were on Fox Sports Net, but as it was a local affiliate station, they were often preempted in multiple markets because of local sports programming.

Penick's Analysis: Thursday night was a perfect night for Bellator before, and it will be again. The only issue with Thursday's on FSN was the preempting and having events oftentimes shown on tape delay or not at all. Having Spike's highest-rated program in Impact Wrestling serve as the lead-in is a smart move, and they should have a much higher viewership starting in January once they move off of MTV2.

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Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/Bellator/article_15013.shtml

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