Bjorn Rebney is no longer the CEO of Bellator. Photo: Bellator (Disclosure)
In 2008, Bjorn Rebney kicked off what would become the second largest MMA organization on the planet: Bellator. Six years later, the North American left the event that he helped found and which he presided over since its early days. Rebney's departure was announced by Spike TV, part of the Viacom group, a Bellator partner.
“It is with a mix of emotions that I announce that I am leaving the company I founded. I am very proud to have turned my plans into reality: a thriving company, with TV distribution to more than 140 countries around the world, a partnership with one of the biggest giants in the world of entertainment and a wide variety of sponsors, partners and strategic allies across the globe,” said Rebney, in a statement sent to the North American press and reproduced by the “MMA Junkie” website.
According to information from journalist Josh Gross, from “Sports Illustrated” magazine and the North American channel “ESPN”, the main name to succeed Bjorn Rebney at the helm of Bellator is former president of the now defunct Strikeforce Scott Coker. The Korean-American founded the organization acquired by Ultimate in 2012 and has a vast background in martial arts and cinema. In addition to Rebney, director of operations Tim Danaher also left Bellator. For his position, however, there are no indications for succession.
During Rebney's years of command, Bellator went from a secondary position in the MMA scene to become the UFC's biggest competitor today. The organization has already promoted 121 events, including the historic Bellator 120 – when it sold a card in the model for the first time in its history. pay-per-view.
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