Scott Coker: Bellator Would Be Interested In Rory MacDonald
Since taking over as President of Bellator MMA in 2014, Scott Coker has turned the promotion into a serious player – or at least somewhat of a competitor to the UFC in terms of luring in high profile fighters.
In recent memory, notable UFC fighters such as Josh Thomson, Josh Koscheck, Phil Davis, Matt Mitrione and even former champion Benson Henderson have jumped ship to Bellator in regards for better conditions, or better pay.
Speaking on the matter at a recent Bellator press conference (Via MMAJunkie), Coker advised fighters to test free agency, claiming that Bellator emerging as a contender is good for MMA as a whole:
“You should fight your fights out, because we’re here too. “Now, there’s more than one buyer, which is good for the market, which is good for individuals, which is good for the league, which is good for the industry,” he said.
As far as future endeavors go, Bellator will continue their efforts to bring in the best fighters in the world according to Coker.
One name that stands out as a possible target could be 26 year old UFC welterweight contender and former title challenger Rory “Red King” MacDonald.
MacDonald, although young in age, has become a veteran of the fight game, and he’s currently gearing up to fight the last fight on his current contract with the UFC, as he’ll take on surging contender Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson in the main event of June’s UFC Fight Night 89 from his home of Canada.
The “Red King” recently stated that he’d be willing to test free agency in search of the most lucrative deal offered, and it appears as if Coker and Company will attempt to be at the forefront of those negotiations:
“He’s a guy that we’d be interested in talking to, if the time is right,” Coker said.
Could you see a young star like MacDonald making the jump to Bellator in the future?
