Coker: Athletes and staff for Bellator 241 have been compensated

Photo by Valery Sharifulin\TASS via Getty Images

Despite Bellator 241’s cancellation, CEO Scott Coker says all athletes, officials, and event personnel were duly compensated. The global COVID-19 pandemic has so far caused a disruption on …

MMA fighters Emelianenko and Jackson weigh in ahead of Bellator 237 main event in Japan

Photo by Valery Sharifulin\TASS via Getty Images

Despite Bellator 241’s cancellation, CEO Scott Coker says all athletes, officials, and event personnel were duly compensated.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has so far caused a disruption on multiple sporting events and leagues. Mixed martial arts has not been exempted, with a wave of postponements and cancellations happening in different promotions already.

On Friday, Bellator 241 was scheduled to take place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut behind closed doors. This move was in compliance to the state’s mandate against holding pubic gatherings with more than 250 people.

But a last-minute decision from company executives led to the postponement of the fight card, with the new date yet to be determined.

CEO Scott Coker says health and safety remains to be the top priority. He also ensured that everyone involved, from the athletes and officials, down to the cutmen and other event personnel, have been compensated.

As Bellator called off its event this weekend, the UFC will push through with its closed-door card in Brasilia, Brazil on Saturday.