A phalanx of fighting names, ancient and modern legends of mixed martial arts, three title fights, the blooding of young stars, the inclusion of a local fighting woman with a compelling back story: Bellator MMA's first event at Madison Square Garden, in the heart of Manhattan, and within the heart of the American media hub here in the Big Apple has brought a real resonance to this major pay per view event for the fight organisation this week.

Fighting noise. Bellator has arrived. Big time. We are replete in the Great Hall once renowned as 'the Mecca' for fight nights. "Look around you," said Scott Coker, the CEO of Bellator here on Wednesday, speaking to Telegraph Sport.

"We have journalists and film crews from all over the world for this. This is the biggest fight card in the history of this company and I can feel it, man. I can feel it growing. The energy's growing."

"I think this is a fight card that from top to bottom delivers on many different levels. If you're a fight fan of Pride and Wanderlei Silva and Fedor Emelianenko, or if you're a fan of the UFC and Chael Sonnen. This is a fight that has something for everybody," added Coker.