Scott Coker: Bellator’s Value Increased Because Of UFC Sale

The sale of the UFC was not only the biggest news story of the week but of the year and possibly of all-time. Not only did it affect the UFC but in MMA in general and that includes the second biggest MMA promotion in the world, Bellator MMA.

Bellator President Scott Coker spoke with MMAJunkie on Thursday after a news conference to promote Saturday’s Spike-televised Bellator 158 event at The O2 in London about the sale.

“I was really excited, because for our sport, what a great accomplishment,” Coker said. “It gives MMA the respectability and credibility that MMA is a real sport, and that MMA has a future. And if you’re investing in MMA, it’s a good vehicle to invest, because there’s an end strategy. They proved it.”

“It’s just like when the (Los Angeles) Clippers got bought,” he said. “What happened to the team’s values? Everything goes up. I told everybody, we should be celebrating with (UFC Chairman) Lorenzo (Fertitta) and (UFC President) Dana (White), popping champagne with them, because our valuation just went up, boys.”

Bellator could use a bump in moment and hopefully for them the UFC sale and Saturday’s event can do just that. Douglas Lima vs. Paul Daley will headline Bellator 158 in a welterweight bout while Matt Mitrione vs. Oli Thompson will co-headline the event.