Tag: Scott Coker

Coker On PFL/Harrison Making Cyborg Superfight: They Have My Number

Bellator CEO Scott Coker is open to dealing with the PFL to negotiate a super fight between Kayla Harrison and Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino. Harrison has teased the idea of a matchup against Cyborg for a few years, dating back to just before the 2021 PFL season. She considered signing with Bellator during her recent free…

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Bellator CEO Scott Coker is open to dealing with the PFL to negotiate a super fight between Kayla Harrison and Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino.

Harrison has teased the idea of a matchup against Cyborg for a few years, dating back to just before the 2021 PFL season. She considered signing with Bellator during her recent free agency before ultimately re-signing with the PFL.

Harrison and Cyborg had once been on complimentary terms, with Harrison going as far as naming Cyborg as the featherweight GOAT over her former teammate Amanda Nunes. But, things have gotten spicy on social media in recent months, with Cyborg going as far as blocking her on Twitter.

During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Coker addressed the current state of affairs regarding a Harrison vs. Cyborg cross-promotional matchup happening.

“I’m not sure and, just to be honest, I have not heard from them at all. Nothing,” Coker said of the PFL and Harrison. “I know they have my number, so I don’t understand. They’re doing a lot of social [media] chattering and trying to create a story. But to me, Cris is the greatest female fighter of all-time, and she fights for Bellator. Kayla Harrison is a great, great fighter, she’s proven that. She could be one of the greats of all-time in the future as well, but she has to grow, and to fight somebody, and then keep growing. She’s going to have to put years into it.

“But to me, we’ll see, but I’m confused by what they say and what they want to do because I haven’t heard from anybody. If these social attacks are their way of doing business then I don’t do business like that. Pick up a phone, give me a call. That’s how we do business.”

The PFL plans to launch a ‘super-fight division’ as soon as next year, which could set the precedent for cross-promotion talks between the league and Bellator. Harrison will face Marina Mokhnatkina in her 2022 debut on May 6, while Cyborg will face Arlene Blencowe in her latest featherweight title defense this weekend at Bellator 279.

Coker is focused on Bellator’s return to Hawaii this weekend but seems open to making the Harrison/Cyborg fight happen if the PFL initiates contact with his promotion.

How do you think a Kayla Harrison vs. Cris Cyborg fight would play out?

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Coker States The Competition Level He’d Put Logan, Jake Paul Against

Bellator President Scott Coker seems to have a plan in mind if Logan and Jake Paul end up eventually fighting in his MMA promotion. Jake and Logan have both entertained the possibility of making the move to MMA after a few more fights in the boxing ring. Both Paul brothers are expecting to return to…

Continue Reading Coker States The Competition Level He’d Put Logan, Jake Paul Against at MMA News.

Bellator President Scott Coker seems to have a plan in mind if Logan and Jake Paul end up eventually fighting in his MMA promotion.

Jake and Logan have both entertained the possibility of making the move to MMA after a few more fights in the boxing ring. Both Paul brothers are expecting to return to boxing later this year.

Coker has flirted with the idea of bringing Jake to Bellator when he’s ready to make the move to the cage. He was even in talks with Jake earlier this year about potentially fighting in Bellator.

During a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Coker praised the Paul brothers and answered whether or not they could transition to MMA.

“I’m impressed with their work ethic,” Coker said of the Paul brothers. “I’m impressed with how much they’ve grown over the last two years. And if they had their mind made up, I think they could get into it. I mean, could they come and win a fight against a world champion?  Probably not. But could they fight somebody decent? I think they could.”

When asked about specific opponents for the Paul brothers, he stopped short of pairing them up with Bellator’s biggest stars.

“Well, I know they were talking to A.J. [McKee], but I think A.J’s too light. But I don’t think they should fight somebody like Gegard Mousasi or anything like that, but maybe somebody ranked in the top 10 or maybe towards 8 or 9.”

Both Paul brothers come from a high school wrestling background. Jake has also shown off some work with leg kicks in his gym in Puerto Rico.

The Paul brothers’ rivalry with MMA may be coming to a close soon as it sounds like Coker is serious about potentially coming to terms on deals with both fighters.

Do you want to see Jake Paul and Logan Paul in Bellator?

Continue Reading Coker States The Competition Level He’d Put Logan, Jake Paul Against at MMA News.

Coker Not Optimistic About McKee/Freire Trilogy Despite “Close” Rematch

Despite the tight nature of the featherweight title rematch between A.J. McKee and Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, Bellator President Scott Coker doesn’t believe a trilogy fight is “guaranteed.” At Bellator 277 last Friday, two 145-pound titans collided for the second time in a year. Last July, McKee secured a seat at the global featherweight table when…

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Despite the tight nature of the featherweight title rematch between A.J. McKee and Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, Bellator President Scott Coker doesn’t believe a trilogy fight is “guaranteed.”

At Bellator 277 last Friday, two 145-pound titans collided for the second time in a year. Last July, McKee secured a seat at the global featherweight table when he became the first man to defeat “Pitbull” since 2016. After five defenses, the Brazilian’s reign came to a close thanks to a guillotine choke at Bellator 263.

Off the back of his championship and Grand Prix glory, and having extended his perfect record to 18-0, McKee called out the top featherweights in the UFC and claimed to be the world’s best at 145 pounds.

While he had a chance to further support that sentiment by adding another blemish to Freire’s impressive résumé, McKee fell short in their rematch, losing a tight decision on the judges’ scorecards. In doing so, the 27-year-old had the 0 on his record removed.

Following the event, promotional kingpin Coker gave his take on what’s since been a highly-debated contest and result. Like many, the South Korean-born American labeled the Bellator 277 main event as “very close.”

“Listen, the judges saw it the way they saw it and he’s the new champ,” Coker said. “As far as I’m concerned, he deserves it. I think it was a very close fight. It was a technical fight. And it’s not my job to judge – it’s for the judges and the state athletic commission to work that out, and that’s what happened. That’s what you saw. You saw the judges call the fight the way they did. I did think it was very close. I was sitting around some of my friends and said, ‘What did you think?’ Half of them said A.J., half of them said ‘Pitbull.’ It was very close.” (h/t MMA Junkie)

Coker Unsure What’s Next For McKee & Freire

With their rivalry sitting level at one win apiece, it would seem a trilogy bout is the logical next step, especially given how close the rematch was. However, with McKee expressing a desire to transition to lightweight, it doesn’t appear to be that simple.

Coker shared that sentiment post-fight, claiming that while he’d love to a book a third date between the Brazilian and the American, it’s far from guaranteed.

With that in mind, the 59-year-old named 17-1 featherweight Ádám Borics, who’s riding a four-fight win streak in the Bellator cage, as a potential challenger for the first defense of Freire’s third reign on the 145-pound throne.

“I’m going to go back and watch this fight and talk to my team,” Coker said. “But as much as we’d love to see a rematch, let’s see how that goes. I can’t really answer that question. If all parties want to do that, we might do it. But it’s not guaranteed. Adam Borics looked great against Mads Burnell (at Bellator 276 in March) — he had a great performance. He had an amazing fight, and we’ll see.”

Would you like to see A.J. McKee and Patricio Freire share the cage for a third time?

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Scott Coker Flirts With Bellator Move For Jake Paul, Logan Paul: ‘There’s Ongoing Dialogue’

Jake PaulBellator MMA president, Scott Coker has confirmed there has been open dialogue regarding the potential acquisition of polarizing professional boxers and social media stars, Jake Paul, and his elder brother, Logan Paul to the organization – which would see them make their move to professional mixed martial arts.  For younger brother, Jake Paul – the […]

Jake Paul

Bellator MMA president, Scott Coker has confirmed there has been open dialogue regarding the potential acquisition of polarizing professional boxers and social media stars, Jake Paul, and his elder brother, Logan Paul to the organization – which would see them make their move to professional mixed martial arts. 

For younger brother, Jake Paul – the Ohio native recently improved his undefeated boxing record to 5-0 back in December of last year, stopping two-time opponent, former undisputed UFC welterweight champion, Tyron Woodley with a sixth round, one-punch knockout.

The victory followed a prior split judging win over Woodley, as well as a one-punch knockout win over Bellator alum, Ben Askren last year, as well as a previous first round knockout win over former NBA player, Nate Robinson.

Jake Paul has hinted at an August return to the squared circle recently

Yet to book his next foray into the squared circle, Jake Paul has hinted at an August comeback to professional boxing, and recently named the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya, and former UFC middleweight champion, Michael Bisping on a hit list of opponents he hopes to face in the future.

With no amateur nor professional mixed martial arts experience under his belt, Jake Paul, as well as his elder brother both wrestled as amateurs – with the former retaining a rivalry with Bellator MMA welterweight, grappling talent, Dillon Danis. 

For the elder Logan Paul, the podcast host has competed just once as a professional boxer – suffering a decision loss to fellow YouTuber and musician, KSI. Paul notably shared the ring with the aforenoted former world champion, Mayweather back in June of last year as part of a eight round exhibition boxing match. Paul also recently featured in professional wrestling under the WWE banner at WrestleMania last month. 

Speaking on the possibility of Jake and Logan Paul competing for Bellator MMA in the future, Coker admitted that initial dialogue and discussions had taken place. 

“We’ve had convos with (Logan Paul) and Jake (Paul) about, ‘What does MMA mean to you guys,’ and ‘What do you guys wanna do?’” Scott Coker told TMZ. “There’s ongoing dialogue, but if they wanna really get down and get serious, we’ll bring them in. Sure, why not.” 

“When they started boxing two years ago, I told people don’t underestimate these guys, because they’re gonna get better and better and better,” Scott Coker continued. “It’s just a matter of them training and practising. If they get into a gym like (AKA) with Javier Mendez, talk to me in a year, man. I’m impressed with how much they’ve grown over the last two years, and if they have their mind made up, I think they can come get into it.” 

In a final parting message to the outspoken duo, Coker urged both Logan and Jake Paul to have their representatives reach out to the promotion if they wished to make a run in professional mixed martial arts.

“Hey, guys, if you really wanna do mixed martial arts, you wanna fight some of our top guys, please give me a call, have your managers call us, and let’s get it on.”

Coker On Harrison/PFL: I Hope They Can Find Someone For Her To Fight

Bellator president Scott Coker is questioning Kayla Harrison’s decision to re-sign with the PFL and not sign with either Bellator or the UFC. Harrison concluded her free agency this week when she opted to re-sign with the PFL on a multi-year deal. She also had conversations with the UFC and Bellator before ultimately deciding to…

Continue Reading Coker On Harrison/PFL: I Hope They Can Find Someone For Her To Fight at MMA News.

Bellator president Scott Coker is questioning Kayla Harrison’s decision to re-sign with the PFL and not sign with either Bellator or the UFC.

Harrison concluded her free agency this week when she opted to re-sign with the PFL on a multi-year deal. She also had conversations with the UFC and Bellator before ultimately deciding to stay loyal to PFL.

Coker and Bellator pitched the top offer to Harrison before the PFL matched shortly afterward.

Some around MMA remain concerned about Harrison’s level of competition in the PFL, despite the league signing former Bellator champion Julia Budd and boxing superstar Claressa Shields. Nevertheless, Harrison remains intent on accomplishing her goals in the PFL and seems confident that the league will bring top talent to face her.

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Coker opined that Harrison could have ongoing issues finding elite competition in the PFL.

“With Kayla right now, I don’t know who she’s gonna fight over there,” Coker said of Harrison. “She’s got to fight the girls that are the dominant girls in that weight class, (who) are Cyborg, to me the greatest female fighter of all time, Amanda Nunes, and then Kayla. She’s growing, she’s doing very well, but she’s got to fight somebody to really showcase that she has that ability to fight at that elite level.

PFL Harrison vs Dandois
Kayla Harrison and Cindy Dandois in their lightweight fight at PFL 6 (PHOTO: Cooper Neill / PFL)

“And that’s why we made a run because Cris Cyborg was like, ‘Look, I’ll fight anybody, and let’s get her on.’ And we said, ‘Hey, that would be a fun fight to promote,’ but listen, it didn’t work out. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t, good for them, but we’re gonna move forward with our business with Cris. We’re in the Cris Cyborg business. I just hope they find somebody to fight Kayla at some point.”

Harrison is getting ready to compete in the 2022 PFL season and will look to defend her women’s lightweight title. Harrison defeated Taylor Guardado for the PFL Championship last October.

Harrison had been rumored to be tied to superfights with former UFC champions Amanda Nunes and Cris “Cyborg” Justino. In addition to Harrison’s new deal, the PFL has announced that they will open a “superfight division” to attract top talent to the league.

Do you think Kayla Harrison made the right move to return to PFL?

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Scott Coker Reveals Bellator Is In Talks With Jake Paul

Bellator MMA President Scott Coker has confirmed that his promotion is in talks with rising boxing sensation Jake Paul. Paul, who made his name as a widely-followed YouTuber and Disney star, ventured into combat sports in 2020. After victories in the ring over fellow Internet personality AnEsonGib and former NBA athlete Nate Robinson, Paul’s competition…

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Bellator MMA President Scott Coker has confirmed that his promotion is in talks with rising boxing sensation Jake Paul.

Paul, who made his name as a widely-followed YouTuber and Disney star, ventured into combat sports in 2020. After victories in the ring over fellow Internet personality AnEsonGib and former NBA athlete Nate Robinson, Paul’s competition increased to MMA veterans in 2021.

In three outings, “The Problem Child” knocked out Ben Askren in one round and defeated former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley twice, the second of which ended in brutal fashion last December.

Having moved to 5-0 and begun to receive more respect for both his in-ring abilities and apparent pursuit for improved fighter pay outside it, Paul’s prominence on the combat sports circuit continues to rise.

While his next steps and opponent in the squared circle are unclear, Paul has seemed increasingly keen on trying his hand at MMA in the future, a desire that’s followed constant back and forth with UFC President Dana White.

That hat feud means an appearance in the Octagon is hard to envision. However, another promotional kingpin would be happy to welcome the Cleveland native in with open arms.

Coker Tells Paul “We’re Here”

While White has always refused to entertain the idea of getting the likes of Jake and Logan Paul onboard in the UFC, Bellator’s Coker has consistently displayed the opposite mindset.

The 59-year-old has previously expressed an interest in doing business with the successful Paul brothers, a sentiment he once again shared during a post-fight media scrum at Bellator 275 in Dublin, Ireland, this past weekend.

Acknowledging Paul’s hope to extend his record to 10-0 before calling time on his in-ring career, Coker suggested dialogue about a potential move to the Bellator cage soon after Paul’s boxing retirement has occurred.

“If Jake Paul is serious and wants to do it, we’re here. We’re already talking about (it). You know, when I say talking about it, he’s with Showtime boxing and he did the fight with T-Wood (Tyron Woodley). There’s dialogue… I think he wants to do 10 boxing fights and then come over to MMA,” Coker revealed. (h/t talkSPORT)

With Coker referencing Paul’s boxing matches with Woodley, it is possible that Bellator is in talks with Paul about boxing a Bellator contracted-fighter as opposed to Paul making the move over to MMA, which would truly be a game-changer for the promotion.

Given Paul’s exchanges with Dana White, which even included a recent diss track, it would certainly not be surprising to see “The Problem Child” look to deal some damage to the 52-year-old’s promotion by joining one of its largest rivals.

Would you like to see Jake Paul take Scott Coker up on his offer and enter the Bellator cage?

Continue Reading Scott Coker Reveals Bellator Is In Talks With Jake Paul at MMA News.