Coker Breaks Silence on Bellator Sale Rumors

Underground
,
1

Shttps://www.mmamania.com/2023/5/30/23743242/scott-coker-breaks-silence-on-bellator-sale-rumors-people-want-to-get-their-hands-on-bellator-mma

1 Like
2

image
image1220×813 70 KB

2 Likes
3

Bellator has been a hot commodity behind the scenes.

One of the biggest storylines throughout the mixed martial arts (MMA) world in recent months, if not the biggest, has been surrounding the free agency of former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou. “The Predator” was seemingly in touch with or garnering interest from all promotions imaginable, but Bellator felt quiet and continued focusing on its planned 2023 schedule.

Ngannou wound up signing with Professional Fighters League (PFL), which just weeks before had accrued rumors of it soon purchasing Bellator. The latter of which has been the center of sales rumors for quite some time.

MMA Mania has since heard from multiple sources, debunking the PFL-Bellator purchase rumors. However, Bellator President, Scott Coker, reveals that there have been discussions, at the very least.
“Yeah, there’s been talk about it,” Coker told MMA Planet transcribed from Japanese. “Well, I’m not going to say ‘no comment’ on that question because I can answer that question. For the past five years, it’s been every year that people want to get their hands on Bellator. It was coming to Viacom, and year after year, we said, ‘No.’ Viacom kept saying they would continue to operate Bellator.

“As for this year, I’ve decided to talk to people who want to invest in Bellator,” he continued. “However, I will not sell it. As a financial partner, whether or not you can raise funds. How many financial partners does ONE [Championship] have? What about PFL and UFC? Viacom has historically operated Bellator without such a partner.”
Bellator and PFL have found one big thing in common in recent years, which has been the inclusion of million-dollar tournaments. PFL’s foundation revolves around a seasonal tournament format with the divisional winners receiving a $1 million reward along with the title. Bellator was brought up on tournaments in its early existence as well, but only recently began doing large million-dollar tournaments for a select division over the rough span of one year
“Finding a partner will speed up Bellator’s growth,” Coker said. “It will also expand the business. Viacom isn’t letting Bellator go. It’s been a solid business, and when the capital increases, the business changes, and that’s what the MMA business is now.

“Everyone has their own way of doing things, and everyone is learning how to push the business forward and moving forward,” he added. “And it takes time to get a deal done, because everyone is learning, and like PFL, it takes time and money to learn.”

In terms of talent, both Bellator and PFL have made real strides to support arguments behind having some of MMA’s best fighters across multiple weight classes. In Coker’s mind, he feels that’s an undeniably critical factor when it comes to bolstering the business side of a promotion and where Bellator can go from here.
“Bellator’s growth will accelerate as capitalists and investors step in,” Coker said. “This is because the total capital will increase. But Bellator is different from PFL. The Light Heavyweight division has some of the best fighters in the world. I think Vadim Nemkov can beat the UFC champion.

“Johnny Eblen can definitely beat the UFC Middleweight champion. Welterweight, Yaroslav Amosov, is the undefeated champion. Several world-class fighters are in Bellator. Fighting against the UFC right now is enough. We have just that many players.

“Their fight money is expensive,” he laughed. “If you want to beat the world’s strongest, if you want to win [over] the UFC, you need a fighter who is that strong and you need to pay a lot of fight money. So companies need capital. Bellator knows how to create the best fighters in the world. In order to continue to create a place where the world’s best fighters fight, we need that much capital.”

4 Likes
4

tee

1 Like
5

Coker’s Bellator has been shit.

5 Likes
6

Coker says “I will not sell it” as if it’s his to sell to begin with. Strange

2 Likes
7

@LytesOutPodcast

2 Likes
8

I’m surprised Magnum Ta hasn’t popped up in the thread to say how he broke the news first for the 89th time

1 Like
9

I posted on a different Bellator thread

I am
Being told that all talks between the PFL and Bellator are no longer taking place

When I inquired as to their belief of what will happen to the organization I was told

“Bellator is just going to go away”

1 Like
10
1 Like
11

Scott Coker speaks out as Bellator rumors linger: “At the end of the day it’s not my company”

1 Like
12

image
image696×399 31.8 KB

1 Like
13

Scott Coker Responds To Rumors Of Bellator Sale

Once Bellator 300 wrapped up, Scott Coker spoke to reporters and was asked about those sale rumors. Coker reminded media members of one important fact (h/t MMAJunkie).

“Keep in mind: I don’t own Bellator,” Coker said. “Bellator is not my company to own or to sell or to keep or to merge. It’s owned by Viacom, and they have a process that they do, and they’re doing what they need to do. It’s not something I own to sell or not sell. …

“It’s hard for me to really comment on (the situation) because it’s completely different. Now, there are some feelings that feel the same, but at the end of the day it’s not my company.”

Coker didn’t deny that there may be smoke to the fire, but he also knows that nothing has been made official at this time.

“We’ll see where the future goes as far as if a deal is gonna happen or not gonna happen,” Coker said. “These things take time, and until the time gets solidified it’s just speculation.”

There will be more Bellator action on November 17. Bellator 301 will emanate from the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. The main event will feature a welterweight title fight between champion Yaroslav Amosov and Jason Jackson. The co-main event will be an undisputed bantamweight title fight between champion Sergio Pettis and interim titleholder Patchy Mix.

1 Like
14
1 Like
15

image
image1200×628 67.7 KB

1 Like
16

https://www.instagram.com/p/CyIGOYBPCpE/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=fb8cccf4-0446-47be-b197-b1ed5fa4fe9a&img_index=1

1 Like
17

@Captain_Kaboom

1 Like
18

Yep, he’s produced a far shittier product than Bjorne rebney which is laughable. Coker appeared to be great at strike force but his run at Bellator makes me believe he had virtually nothing to do with strike force being great.

2 Likes
19

301 is supposed to be the last time they get funding

20

Are fighter contracts going to be voided?