INGLEWOOD, Calif. – There’s a lot going on with Bellator these days.
The promotion is coming off one of the biggest events in its history, Bellator 290, which hosted two title fights and several other important matchups for the company. On top of that, Bellator 290 marked the company’s television debut on CBS.
With everything going on, Bellator president Scott Coker spoke to media members following the event to reflect on Saturday’s card, as well as other things going on in the promotion.
See what Coker had to say about MMA legends’ tribute to Fedor Emelianenko, Johnny Eblen’s first title defense, the Bellator-Globo partnership in Brazil, and more.
Bellator's debut on CBS
“(There were) a lot of CBS executives here and I think they loved the show. It’s honestly surprising how many first-time fans or first-time fans coming to a live event (there were), and I think they all had an amazing experience. So I think we gained a lot of fans here, and we remain cautiously optimistic for some good ratings and we’ll see how it goes.”
MMA legends pay tribute to Fedor Emelianenko
“In there, I was looking at (Quinton) ‘Rampage’ (Jackson) and all the guys and that tribute to him. I’m so happy we put that together because those are the guys that built this sport. They were the golden era back then. It was a much different business back then, much more different economics, but they were there grinding it out every day and doing their thing.
“I think Fedor appreciated a lot of those guys he fought, a lot of those guys he should’ve fought and didn’t happen because of different leagues and stuff like that. But you know, this will be a special moment in the Bellator flag and for me personally.”
Johnny Eblen completes first middleweight title defense
“I think he’s the best (middleweight) on the planet. That guy is so talented. I think you’re just seeing the beginning of this kid. When he fought Gegard (Mousasi), I said, ‘Wow.’ He got my attention, and tonight he got my attention. His opponent was no joke, and he just kept grinding him and working him. He broke him down basically to a guy that I didn’t think breaking down was possible. Hat’s off to Johnny Eblen. He’s going to do a lot of great things in this sport.”
Globo TV deal, potential event in Brazil
“I’m very excited because to be honest and transparent, we were going to go there before COVID hit. We had plans to go there in 2021, and when COVID hit, maybe we were going to go there at the end of 2020 because we feel that’s a great market, and we have so many great champions that are Brazilian. I think that they really appreciate the sport and understand the sport. So we were going to go there and COVID hit and everything got shut down. We were doing fights in a closed environment. We basically rebooted and started doing live fights, and it’s only been about a year since we rebooted. Our attendance is growing, and I think we’re breaking attendance records in difference places for Bellator.
“Combate (Globo) was something important because we do want to go to Brazil. We do want to fight (there). Is it going to happen this year? I’m not sure, but it’s something we’re definitely in dialogue on. I think Combate will be a great partner for us. We have a lot of goals that are similar, and a lot of our goals are aligned.”
Brennan Ward's violent TKO win, callout of Dalton Rosta
“I watched that Ward fight. I thought he did a great job. I didn’t think Brennan could kick to the head that high, but he’s a great puncher and a great wrestler. I say let’s go back and meet with my fight team and reshuffle the deck and see what we come up with.
“I’m so happy on a personal level because a year and a half ago, when he wanted to come back, he was going through a lot of trouble in his life and a lot of people turned their back on him. When he and I sat down in the stands at the Mohegan Sun we had a heart-to-heart conversation and I said, ‘Look, you have to keep it together,’ and he has. This is very important to him, and you can tell how hard he trained for this fight. He was in great shape.
“So he’s doing his part now. I want to keep him on that path, and if he does, good things will happen.”
