Bellator’s broadcast reach now extends to 116 countries after inking a deal to bring tournament action to U.K. MMA fans.

The Viacom-owned VIVA channel is set to broadcast Bellator MMA events starting this month with Bellator 96, which kicks off the promotion’s “Summer Series,” the promotion announced today in a press release. Bellator’s ninth season begins in September.

Viacom also owns a majority stake in Bellator after a deal struck in October 2011.

VIVA boasts a broadcast reach of 26 million homes and garners half its audience from the 16-34 year-old demographic, with 3.7 million young viewers tuning in monthly, stated the release. Bellator is the channel’s first MMA property.

“We are thrilled to finally bring the pure excitement of Bellator MMA to the legions of dedicated and knowledgeable mixed martial arts fans in the UK,” stated Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney.

With the new deal, Bellator is poised to compete with the UFC for the U.K. market. One month prior to the promotion’s debut, the UFC switches over to its new broadcast home in British Telecom Sport, which has targeted an expansion of its broadband service by offering the channel to non-subscribers for a small fee.

Previously, ESPN UK was the home for MMA programming, with the channel broadcasting UFC events. It recently agreed to sell its assets to BT Sport.

Bellator also has bolstered the ranks of its U.K.-based talent, recently signing fighters Martin Stapleton, Rob Sinclair and Paul Sass.

Spike TV President Kevin Kay on Wednesday confirmed at a press conference announcing the signing of ex-UFC champ Quinton Jackson that a Bellator event is booked for Sept. 7, though he didn’t reveal its location.

For the latest on Bellator 96, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.