This weekend's dual-card Bellator 248/Bellator Europe 10 at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris is the first major mixed martial arts event since France legalized the sport in January. At the post-fight press conference, Bellator CEO Scott Coker talked about it.
“It was quite long, but I think the people around the world got to see some great fights in France,” said Coker. “We’re the first ever major organization to come here. It was the ‘final frontier’ I call it, and it was a huge success tonight.
“Obviously to be the first major organization in France to promote here and bring MMA to this country really it was quite an honor. There were other organizations that wanted to be here and for the [country] to work with us first that says a big statement in itself.”
“This was a very special occasion. It was a difficult process, but I’m glad we did it. It’s such a victory that in the history books of MMA we will be down as the first major MMA show in the country of France.”
“This was our last fight in Europe this year and we’ll be back next year at some point. We already have a date for AccorHotels Arena, but we’re going to see how the COVID situation goes. We have a tremendous amount of foreign and European athletes that we need to keep busy so whether they fight here or they fight in the States, we’re going to keep these guys busy.”
Just as New York was the last state in the union to legalize MMA, France is the last major holdout in Europe. The sport remains banned in Norway, but the nation is not a major combat sports market. Professional boxing was banned in Norway from 1981 to 2016. And skateboarding was banned from 1978 to 1989. Amateur MMA has been recognized by the government in Norway, so the pros are likely to follow at some point there too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HePl7FEhssM
h/t Danny Segura for MMA Junkie