Rick Hawn (left) and Jim Wallhead exchange (right) (photo via Bellator.com)

By FCF Staff

Bellator continues to increase its size and scope through the ownership of Viacom, as today the promotion announced that future cards will be broadcast in the United Kingdom via the company’s VIVA channel. The agreement will mark the first time Bellator cards will be available to British television audiences.

According to a press release sent out by the promotion, VIVA will start broadcasting live Bellator cards on June 19th, which will feature the semifinals of the promotion’s summer light-heavyweight tourney.

The announcement comes not long after Bellator announced that it had signed British fighters Martin Stapleton, Rob Sinclair and Paul Sass. The press release also notes that the promotion intends “to aggressively pursue top British fighting talent.”

Earlier in the week Bellator also announced that is has signed former UFC light-heavyweight champ “Rampage” Jackson to a multiyear deal.