Bellator President Scott Coker refutes rumors of the promotion’s demise and assures fans of more thrilling fights to come. Get the latest updates on Bellator’s future and upcoming events.
Bellator, one of the leading mixed martial arts promotions, is set to continue its successful run, according to its President, Scott Coker. The organization recently announced its monumental 300th event, which will feature four highly anticipated title fights. Scheduled to take place in San Diego, California on October 7, 2023, this event promises to be a thrilling spectacle.
The titles at stake include the Heavyweight, Lightweight, women’s Featherweight, and women’s Flyweight championships. Reigning champions Ryan Bader, Usman Nurmagomedov, Cris "Cyborg" Justino, and Liz Carmouche will defend their belts against formidable opponents Linton Vassell, Brent Primus, Cat Zingano, and Ilima-Lei Macfarlane.
However, recent rumors have cast doubt on Bellator’s future. Speculation has been rife that the promotion may be sold by its parent company, Viacom, or even face closure. Former Bellator commentator, Jimmy Smith, spoke to Bloody Elbow’s John S. Nash, who suggested that Bellator 300 could be the final event under the current management.
Scott Coker, however, has categorically denied these claims. In an interview with MMA on Sirius XM, Coker expressed his commitment to the promotion’s growth. He dismissed the rumors, stating, "We’re gonna keep doing more fights. John is incorrect in his projection. Listen, I’ll give him an A for effort and there’s a lot of rumors out there. Let’s see what happens. In the meantime, Jimmy, we’re gonna keep promoting fights. We’re already planning 301 right now, we already got 302 kind of planned out. We’re looking forward to next year. I think it’s gonna be another big year for Bellator, so tell John I think he’s incorrect and I think we’re gonna keep doing more fights this year."
Bellator’s previous event, Super RIZIN 2, was held in collaboration with RIZIN Fighting Federation at the end of July. The upcoming Bellator 298, set to take place in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, will feature an exciting Welterweight contender bout between Logan Storley and Brennan Ward on August 11, 2023.
Stay tuned for more updates on Bellator’s future and the thrilling events that lie ahead!
Fight Results
| Title | Champion | Challenger |
|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight | Ryan Bader | Linton Vassell |
| Lightweight | Usman Nurmagomedov | Brent Primus |
| Women’s Featherweight | Cris "Cyborg" Justino | Cat Zingano |
| Women’s Flyweight | Liz Carmouche | Ilima-Lei Macfarlane |
