HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Bellator’s 2020 schedule kicks off Saturday with Bellator 238 – and the promotion’s president Scott Coker is excited.
When he spoke to the media Thursday, Coker dished on numerous topics, including Bellator 238 title challenger Cris Cyborg. The former UFC women’s featherweight champ Cyborg (21-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) makes her promotional debut vs. champion Julia Budd in the DAZN-streamed headliner at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif.
Cyborg’s tenure in the UFC had ups and downs. One of the consensus greatest female fighters of all-time, the Brazilian’s departure from the UFC was nothing short of ugly.
In the lead-up to her free agency, Cyborg and UFC president Dana White went back-and-fourth in a public spat. Eventually, the UFC opted not to re-sign Cyborg and announced her departure in a lengthy sit-down interview with White.
The UFC women’s featherweight division has always been different than the promotion’s other weight classes. No more than 10 fighters have ever populated its roster. In Coker’s eyes, the UFC never fully committed to building Cyborg’s division.
“I don’t think the UFC ever had an intention to start a 145-pound weight class,” Coker told MMA Junkie on Thursday. “I think they wanted to be in the Cyborg business. That’s what it was.
“To build a division around her takes time and effort. You’ve got to go out and sign the people and nurture the fights. I think that was really one of the things that happened. They tied her up. Now, she’s free. Now, she’s here.”
Bellator has been putting on women’s featherweight fights for years. Coker said Cyborg will see more challenges in the Bellator ranks because of the depth of the division he’s put together. First up, though, she must get through Budd (13-2 MMA, 7-0 BMMA), who is the only champion the division has seen to date.
“We have a lot of girls she can fight and it starts with Julia Budd, who by the way looks like she’s in amazing shape,” Coker said. “She’s going to come and bring it. I tell everyone, ‘Don’t underestimate her. This girl can throw down and she’s dangerous. I’m expecting a great fight on Saturday night.”
Bellator boss Scott Coker: UFC was in 'Cyborg business' and never intended to build her division
