Scott Coker wants to build a star again like Bellator or Strikeforce

The Bellator era of Scott Coker's career is officially in the rearview mirror, but the MMA pioneer looks back on his run there with pride.

Coker took over the reins of Bellator in 2014, shortly after his contract with Strikeforce ended. The deal was signed after he sold the promotion he founded and incorporated it into the UFC. Bellator was acquired by PFL in late 2023, but Coker did not transition to the new company.

“The opportunity was there,” Coker recently told MMA Junkie Radio, but he chose to return to his entrepreneurial roots and joins Fight Night at the Box, which premieres May 18 in San Jose, California. -We are planning to run a new event series called Tech. He will serve as executive producer and collaborate with former Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez.

He said developing young fighters is what he's most proud of from his time at Bellator, and he likes the idea of ​​doing it again.

“When I first got there, we had (Patricio) 'Pitbull' (Freire) on the roster. he was a great fighter. His brother (Patricki)…I think they had a few guys at that level, maybe three or four. But I remember sitting down with Bob Cook. … When I came, I showed him the roster and said, “What do you think?'' And he said to me, “Well, Coker, you've got a lot of work to do.”

“Right. So I said, 'Okay, that's fair.' So we decided to sign Aaron Pico. Go find AJ McKee. … I said, “Hey, this guy — he's something.'' I think he's special and I think we should work together. ” So I made a deal with his father and picked certain fighters to invest in and develop. ”

Patricio Freire is a dual-division Bellator champion at featherweight and lightweight, and remains the 145-pound champion. He will put his title on the line Friday at Bellator Champion Series: Belfast. This is the first of a new iteration of the Bellator event under PFL ownership. Patricky Freire was the lightweight champion. McKee also held the featherweight title.

Coker compared himself to the fighters who became raw stars under his watch in Strikeforce. They all went on to win titles in the UFC and had Hall of Fame-worthy careers.

“Look at what's happening now. They're all becoming stars in their own right now,” he said. “For me, that's something to be really proud of. We did that on Strikeforce with Daniel (Cormier) and Ronda (Rousey), (Tyron Woodley), Luke Rockhold, Miesha Tate, Amanda Nunes. (Rafael) “Feijao” (Cavalcante) began with us. So it's like a who's who of MMA. ”