Chris Daughtry to perform ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at Bellator 170

While it’s been fairly commonplace for American sporting events to feature the singing of the national anthem, this has never really materialized in MMA ... that is, until tonight’s Bellator 170: Ortiz vs. Sonnen card.

In a press release sent out on Friday, Bellator announced that former American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the start of tonight’s main card, which airs live on Spike TV at 9 PM ET/PT.

The 37-year-old Daughtry finished 4th in season five (2006) of American Idol, but has since embarked on a successful career as a recording artist. Several of his hits include “No Surprise,” “What About Now,” “Home,” “Over You,” and “It’s Not Over.” His self-titled album “Daughtry” topped the Billboard charts and was nominated for “Best Rock Album” in the 2008 Grammy Awards, but lost out to “Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace” by Foo Fighters.

Daughtry performed the national anthem at game 7 of the 2011 World Series between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals, as well as the 2014 NCAA Final Four men’s college basketball tournament, and the 2007 NFC Championship Game between the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints. Now he gets to belt out the anthem for Bellator’s first show of 2017.