After Tito Ortiz's injury, Bellator 106 leaves pay-per-view and goes to cable TV in the US

With Ortiz injured, Bellator 106 pay-per-view was cancelled. Photo: Bellator/Disclosure

The injury of Tito Ortiz a few weeks after the fight against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at Bellator 106 made a real dent in the organization's plans for the event. With Tito's absence and the withdrawal from the fight against Rampage of the card, Bellator announced the change of broadcast of the card from the pay-per-view system to the channel Spike TV, on North American cable TV.

Bellator 106 would be the first PPV event in the history of the UFC's main rival organization in the USA. Despite the three title fights scheduled for the card, the departure of the fight between the two veterans and former Ultimate champions forced the broadcast plans to be changed. O Spike TV is already a partner with Bellator in regular events promoted by the organization chaired by Bjorn Rebney.

Those who didn't like the news at all were Rampage. In an interview with the “Inside MMA” program, the former UFC light heavyweight champion practically begged for his presence on the card not to be canceled. “I just wanted to show the world and my fans that I'm back. Everyone thought I was finished after my fight against the Shogun. Give me someone like Kimbo Slice, Houston Alexander, anyone from Bellator. People talk about so many guys… Tyrone Spong, I don’t even know his name. Put anyone. I don't care, I'm ready, I'll fight anyone. Make Chuck Liddell come out of retirement, but keep the pay-per-view,” said the American.

Bellator 106 takes place next Saturday, November 2nd, in Long Beach (USA). The lightweight belt fight between between Michael chandler and Eddie Alvarez was promoted to the main fight of the night. In the co-main event, Pat Curran and Daniel Straus duel for the featherweight title. Furthermore, "King mo” Lawal and Emanuel Newton fight for the interim light heavyweight belt and Mike Bronzoulis and Joe Riggs make the final of the first season of “Fight Master”, the organization's reality show.