Video: A look back at Bellator's wild and historic 2015

Without question, Bellator had an interesting 2015. And it may have been the promotion’s best year yet.

With President Scott Coker in his first full year at the helm, Bellator had plenty of eyeballs on its Spike-televised events. While critics took issue with some of the promotion’s matchup choices – think Ken Shamrock vs. Kimbo Slice – it also raised its bar with events like Bellator 142, which featured a single-night eight-man light heavyweight tournament – and GLORY kickboxing fights taking place side-by-side in a ring next to the Bellator cage.

As 2016 gets underway, take a look back at some of the highlights of Bellator’s often historic 2015, including a title shot for former UFC champion Tito Ortiz, the continued emergence of breakout star Michael “Venom” Page and the signing of new stars like Phil Davis and Josh Thomson.

Check out the video above. Then stay tuned to see what Bellator has planned for 2016. Its first fight of the new year takes place later this month with the promotional debut of Josh Koscheck at Bellator 148 in Fresno, Calif.