Bellator MMA hires Mauro Ranallo and Mike Goldberg
Following on the heels of Sean Grande’s announced departure due to scheduling issues, Bellator MMA upped the game Tuesday by announcing the signing of not one, but two of the sport’s most well-known and recognizable voices.
Longtime combat sports play-by-play man Mauro Ranallo and former UFC play-by-play man Mike Goldberg have joined the company and will begin work at the promotion’s event at New York City’s Madison Square Garden on June 24th, announced via press release.
What isn’t clear is what role both men will have as they have worked primarily as play-by-play with a variety of different color commentators. In the release, Bellator mentioned that they joined a broadcast team that includes Jimmy Smith, Chael Sonnen, and backstage reporter Jenn Brown.
Adding to the confusion, in a press conference Tuesday to promote the MSG event, Bellator head Scott Coker said that both men “will do all our shows the rest of 2017.”
Since his much-discussed exit from WWE, Ranallo has been active on the announcing scene, returning to Showtime to call boxing as well as Japan’s Rizin MMA. He goes back years with Coker as the voice of Strikeforce as well as PRIDE.
Goldberg has been on the shelf since the UFC decided not to renew his contract after last December’s UFC 207.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.