Bellator Sign Mike Goldberg and Mauro Ranallo to Its Broadcast Team

Bellator has made a habit of recruiting well-known UFC castaways and former Pride FC mainstays to help prop up their budding roster of talented fighters. Now, the promotion will be adding two veteran broadcasters formerly of UFC and Pride to its commentary and punditry teams come June 24 th, for Bellator's second ever pay-per-view event at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Joining the likes of Fedor Emelianenko, Wanderlei Silva, Tito Ortiz, Chael Sonnen, Rory MacDonald and many more, ex-UFC lead play-by-play announcer Mike Goldberg and former Pride, Strikeforce and WWE commentator Mauro Ranallo will be enjoying pastures new under the Bellator banner.

"Mike Goldberg and Mauro Ranallo are two of the best in our business and I couldn't be happier about them joining the Bellator family," said Bellator President Scott Coker in an official press release. "In addition to June 24 th, we look forward to working together to make future Spike broadcasts even more exciting for our fans as we add further depth to an already-exceptional broadcast team."

Spike SVP, Sports and Specials Jon Slusser added: "The addition of highly-regarded announcers Mauro and Mike to our fantastic lineup of broadcasters, and our first-rate production led by Scott Fishman, further demonstrates our commitment MMA fans and expanding the global Bellator brand."

Though the press release is rather non-descript in explaining what role two play-by-play announcers can perform together, veteran MMA journalist Josh Gross confirmed Goldberg will be the man providing memorable soundbites and his laundry list of cage clichés while commentating on the action, while Ranallo is serving as host of fight pundits on the announce desk. The Bellator broadcast team now consists of Goldberg, Ranallo, Jimmy Smith, Jenn Brown and Chael Sonnen, following the departure of Sean Grande just days ago.

This is welcome news to those not annoyed by Goldberg's drawl over UFC events and Ranallo's penchant for getting over-excited while in the commentary booth for Pride, Strikeforce and WWE. It's also good news to those who have empathy, given how both men endured controversial and unceremonious exits from their previous roles.

Goldberg fell victim of the UFC job purge immediately following WME-IMG's $4billion purchase of the promotion. Goldberg's final call for the UFC was at UFC 207 and there was no tribute nor mention of his impending departure from the company despite putting in 20 years of service—something which quite rightfully angered him and his family. Though often a subject of ridicule and criticism on MMA's ever-steaming internet hotbed, the UFC's perceived poor treatment of Goldberg perturbed large numbers of MMA fans who jumped to his defence, akin to an older brother, who picks on his little brother, not liking it when someone else picks on him.

Ranallo's last full-time gig saw him act out his dream and commentate on professional wrestling action for WWE. However, he left the organisation amid bullying allegations levelled at his co-commentator and renowned hazer John "Bradshaw" Layfield. Rumours of Layfield bullying Ranallo rocked the wrestling industry, with other personalities from the sports entertainment world coming out of the woodwork to accuse Layfield of similar treatment. Since leaving WWE, Ranallo commentated on Pride reboot Rizin FF's last event, as well as the live broadcast of the now-legendary heavyweight boxing bout between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko for Showtime.

Love them or loathe them, it's great to see Bellator house these two iconic voices from the annals of MMA history after both had suffered rough ends to their dream jobs as broadcasters. Welcome back to the fray, Goldie and Mauro.