UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Bellator president Scott Coker spoke to the media following Bellator 231, which took place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Coker discussed a range of topics, including fighters who competed and what’s next for them. From Roy Nelson’s loss to Frank Mir, to what’s next for dual champion Ryan Bader, to which grand prix will come next and more, check below for highlights from Coker’s session and be sure to watch the complete video above.
On wanting Roy Nelson to retire:
“I think that I go back and talk to my team about that. You know, I think Roy brought it and did his best today. It didn’t work out, but we’ll evaluate that. I think that it might be that time. I’m not sure, but that’s something that only Roy can decide. But as far as what I said on Wednesday, it’s definitely a possibility.
What’s next for Steve Mowry and the future of the heavyweight division:
“Those guys, they have very – I don’t think they even have 10 fights yet. Fortune probably – how many fights does Fortune have? Maybe five, six, I’m not even sure, but when the time is right, we’ll do it, and I don’t want to throw them into the deep water too early, because we have a lot of hope and feel that these guys are going to be the future of this company. So let them simmer a little bit more, but they’ll be a shot, and they will have that opportunity. But to me, 10 is like the right number. Get them 10 fights, 12 fights then let them go fight anybody they want to fight.
The next grand prix tournament:
“As far as the next weight class, I think there’s two or three different divisions that we can throw a nice eight-man or even a female tournament, so I think that we’ll evaluate as this featherweight tournament is going on, but it might be a female tournament at the end of the year.”
Jake Hager’s no contest:
“Yeah, I mean, these things happen. I don’t want to speculate one way or the other, but I think that we’ll try to get him back in the cage as soon as possible. I know he has a very busy schedule with wrestling, and we’re supportive of that, and when he’s ready to come back and fight in the cage, we’ll have him back when he’s ready.”
What’s next for Ryan Bader:
“Yeah, I talked to him the other day, and he would like to fight at light heavyweight, and that’s going to be his next fight, and we’ll have it announced soon because we’re going to have him fight sometime in February.
“Bader, let me tell you: He’s itching to fight. He wants to fight in Japan. He wants to fight in February. He wants to … he’s ready to go.”
Bellator's Scott Coker on Roy Nelson retirement, Jake Hager's low blows, next grand prix, more
