Strikeforce’s Scott Coker says no bidding war for Jake Shields, tourney possible

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker is “tossing around numbers” with the manager of his current middleweight champion, Jake Shields, but he will not get into a bidding war for the fighter’s services.

“To me, there’s going to be a value that we feel is fair, and that’s going to be it,” Coker today told MMAjunkie.com. “I don’t think it’s good business to go into [the bidding] business.”

If the two sides can’t strike a deal on a new contract, Coker said the promotion likely will hold an eight-man tournament that could begin at a planned Aug. 21 event in Houston. The winner would be crowned the new champion.


Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker is “tossing around numbers” with the manager of his current middleweight champion, Jake Shields, but he will not get into a bidding war for the fighter’s services.

“To me, there’s going to be a value that we feel is fair, and that’s going to be it,” Coker today told MMAjunkie.com. “I don’t think it’s good business to go into [the bidding] business.”

If the two sides can’t strike a deal on a new contract, Coker said the promotion likely will hold an eight-man tournament that could begin at a planned Aug. 21 event in Houston. The winner would be crowned the new champion.