Bellator MMA Names Official CBD Partner

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]B[/dropcap]ellator MMA recently announced its new multi-year, exclusive partnership with cannabidiol (CBD) brand cbdMD, Inc. Bellator is one of the largest mixed martial arts promotions, streaming fights to almost one billion viewers in more than 160 countries. Based in Santa Monica, California, Bellator is owned by the entertainment mogul, Viacom. 

According to the company’s release, the partnership will promote cbdMD through exclusive branding inside the Bellator cage, among other details. The MMA community has embraced CBD as a treatment for their athletes in the past, and this partnership only continues to push CBD into the mainstream. 

Bellator President Scott Coker acknowledged how the partnership is leading a change in an extremely fast growing industry. “I am pleased to welcome cbdMD to the Bellator family,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “As the sport of MMA continues to evolve, teaming up with innovative partners is equally important, and they are leading the way in a rapidly growing industry.”

President Caryn Dunayer of cbdMD shared her company’s excitement in a press release, published on June 24. “We’re excited to have our company represented in the cage alongside some of the fiercest competitors on the planet” said Dunayer. “Our partnership with Bellator and Viacom/Paramount will facilitate a unique opportunity to educate athletes and fans about the many benefits of CBD. We believe we’ve started a lasting relationship that will help push both industries into the future.”

Based in Charlotte, North California, cbdMD brand offers U.S. grown CBD products that are organic and THC-free. The company sells various products, which all contain CBD, including bath bombs, oils, gummies, topicals and pet products. 

This is one of the first CBD partnerships between professional fighting promotions and CBD companies. Just last month, Aurora Cannabis Inc. announced an exclusive partnership with the UFC ®. This partnership may even further our understanding of CBD as a wellness tool. According to the release, this exclusive deal is a “multi-year, multi-million dollar, global partnership that is expected to significantly advance further clinical research on the relationship between 100 percent hemp derived cannabidiol  products and athlete wellness and recovery, with a view to accelerating CBD product development and education.”