Scott Coker Willing To Make Liddell vs. Ortiz Rubber Match

Over the last month or so, rumors regarding a potential return to action for former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell began to swirl. In addition to that, Liddell teased a trilogy bout with fellow former UFC champion and longtime rival Tito Ortiz, which led to the two going back-and-forth on social media. Both men […]

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Over the last month or so, rumors regarding a potential return to action for former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell began to swirl. In addition to that, Liddell teased a trilogy bout with fellow former UFC champion and longtime rival Tito Ortiz, which led to the two going back-and-forth on social media.

Both men are currently retired, as “The Iceman” hasn’t competed since 2010, while Ortiz hung up his gloves after scoring a submission victory over Chael Sonnen at Bellator 170 last January.

Given the age of both men, Bellator seems likely the landing spot for a trilogy bout between Liddell and Ortiz if it were to actually take place. Scott Coker has gained a bit of reputation for creating ‘legend fights’, and it turns out that the Bellator president would be willing to book a bout between Liddell and Ortiz:

“If Tito wanted to do it, would I do it? I think I might do it,” Coker told MMA Fighting. “To me, why not? If they all pass their medicals and their physicals. It’s a fight that I would love to see. But I think Tito is retired and we’re talking about hypotheticals that [probably] won’t happen.”

Despite saying he would indeed make the fight, Coker saying that it probably ‘won’t happen’ may serve as a sigh of relief to fight fans who are sick of seeing their favorite veterans return to the cage long after their primes.

An interesting thing to note, however, is that Coker has met with Liddell recently, although he claims it was simply to discuss a brand ambassador role:

“Chuck, he’s a guy I grew up watching fight on pay per view,” Coker said. “I think he and Tito and Randy Couture basically were the building blocks of the future and the success of the UFC.”

“As far as his legendary status, [Liddell has] already done everything he can in the sport,” he continued. “When we’ve met, he has not talked about fighting. So we’re just talking about a brand ambassadorship at this point.”

Would you like to see Liddell and Ortiz run it back a third time?

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Scott Coker Talks About Silva & Sonnen Shoving at Bellator NYC Presser

Bellator President Scott Coker was in the middle of a brief shoving match between Wanderlei Silva and Chael Sonnen earlier today (June 22). Silva and Sonnen will finally clash this Saturday night (June 24) inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. The two have had animosity for years and even brawled on an episode […]

Bellator President Scott Coker was in the middle of a brief shoving match between Wanderlei Silva and Chael Sonnen earlier today (June 22). Silva and Sonnen will finally clash this Saturday night (June 24) inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. The two have had animosity for years and even brawled on an episode […]

Coker Thinks UFC Is ‘Putting McGregor In Harm’s Way’

The combat sports world is in for quite a treat later this year (Sat. August 26, 2017) when UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor steps into the boxing ring against one of the greatest of all time – Floyd Mayweather Jr. Bellator MMA President Scott Coker recently spoke on the bout’s announcement and gave his thoughts […]

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The combat sports world is in for quite a treat later this year (Sat. August 26, 2017) when UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor steps into the boxing ring against one of the greatest of all time – Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Bellator MMA President Scott Coker recently spoke on the bout’s announcement and gave his thoughts on the crossings of the MMA and boxing worlds, as he stated that the UFC is putting McGregor ‘in harm’s way’ by allowing him to fight Mayweather (quotes via MMA Fighting):

“Obviously, it’s gonna be a big money maker for everybody and that’s why they’re doing it,” Coker said. “But you’re putting your fighter in harm’s way, so what’s the long term impact on that? I’m not sure. But I’ll tell you this: It’ll be a lot of fun to watch.”

At the end of the day, Coker is still a fight fan and knows that fans are going to be tuning in for the unorthodox match-up, but admits that he believes McGregor has his hands full against “Money”:

“How could it be?” Coker said. “I think the people that are gonna watch it, the people that are gonna buy it, they know what it is. It’s gonna be a great spectacle and a lot of great promotion going back and forth. I think Mayweather is a fighter that even Canelo couldn’t even hit or event Pacquiao couldn’t even hit. So, I think Conor has his hands full. But you never know in a fight, right? Who knows? Sometimes someone can get lucky.”

After the announcement of McGregor vs. Mayweather was made many fellow mixed martial artists began throwing their name in the hat for a potential switch over to the boxing world, in hopes of landing a spot on the same card as the Irishman. Coker doesn’t believe any other fighters have the draw power to pull of a crossover to boxing the way “The Notorious One” does:

“This fight is happening because everybody on the business side knows that it makes sense,” said Coker. “There are other fighters in MMA that feel like they might have that kind of drawing power, but maybe they really don’t. I think it’ll be quickly unmasked. Either people care or they don’t and that’s what it really comes down to for me when it comes to fights.”

Despite being on the outside looking in of this deal, Coker is excited for the event and stated that he will be attempting to go to Las Vegas to watch the fight live and in person:

“Any time Mayweather fights, the circus is in town, man,” Coker said. “It’s gonna be a big, big promotion. And Conor he can carry his own on the mic. The whole campaign leading up to the event is gonna be more entertaining than the fight.”

“I can’t wait to see it,” Coker said. “I want to see it. I’m gonna fly there and watch it live.”

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Scott Coker Says The Winner of Rory MacDonald vs. Paul Daley Gets Next Crack at Welterweight Title

Scott Coker has confirmed what most analysts and fans had anticipated. The winner of Rory MacDonald vs. Paul Daley at Bellator 179 will receive a welterweight title opportunity. Coker confirmed the news during a media conference call (via MMAFighting.com). Champion Douglas Lima is set to defend his title against Lorenz Larkin at Bellator NYC on […]

Scott Coker has confirmed what most analysts and fans had anticipated. The winner of Rory MacDonald vs. Paul Daley at Bellator 179 will receive a welterweight title opportunity. Coker confirmed the news during a media conference call (via MMAFighting.com). Champion Douglas Lima is set to defend his title against Lorenz Larkin at Bellator NYC on […]