Fans may just see a UFC-Bellator crossover, at least according to Scott Coker.
While the UFC may still be the most prominent mixed martial arts promotion company in the world today, Bellator FC comes in second. Over the recent years, in fact, a handful of former UFC champions and marquee names have crossed over to Bellator.
There are also talks about possible cross-promotion matchups. Two-division Bellator champion Ryan Bader, for one, wants a fight against UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, while featherweight and lightweight Bellator champion Patricio Freire wants a piece of UFC 145-pound champion Max Holloway.
Such matchups may only be possible through a video game for now, but Bellator CEO Scott Coker says he is open to doing a cross-promotion with the UFC.
“Listen, it’s not their business model to do that, but if they want to get it on, let’s do it,” Coker said during the Bellator 222 media day on Wednesday (via MMA Junkie). “We would not be opposed to that.
“I mean, c’mon. We got some killers in this league,” he added. “If they want to get it on, let’s do it.”
The UFC has yet to engage in a deal with Bellator, but they have made a previous agreement with ONE Championship, marking the first-ever trade between fighters in mixed martial arts.