Scott Coker explains why Bellator turned down the chance to sign Fabricio Werdum

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – When Fabricio Werdum expressed interest in rematching Fedor Emelianenko, most expected Bellator to be his new home.

Instead, the former UFC heavyweight champion opted to sign with PFL, citing his ability to compete numerous times a year due to the tournament format as his main reason.

Werdum (24-9) scored a big upset submission of Emelianenko in Strikeforce in 2010 where, at the time, Bellator president Scott Coker was running the ship.

So, given the pair’s existing relationship, Bellator seemed like a perfect fit. But Coker explained that he was only interested in putting together the Emelianenko rematch, whereas Werdum had longer-term goals.

“His goals and his desires were different than our goals and our desires,” Coker told MMA Junkie after the Bellator 253 ceremonial weigh-ins at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. “I’m happy for him. If we wanted him to be here and have a fight with Fedor, we could do that. But that’s really probably the only fight that we’d be interested in. I think he was looking at a longer-term deal – multi-year, multi-fight.

“If you look at our roster and the fighters that we’re signing and the direction of the company (and) where it’s headed with the bluechip prospects and building the next crop and buying some free agents like Corey Anderson and sprinkling in some talent, I just think Fabricio has a better home there than he would’ve here.”

In his final fight in the UFC, Werdum made quick work of Alexander Gustafsson, submitting the former title challenger in the first round at UFC on ESPN 14 in July.

Werdum said he plans on competing for two or three more years, and PFL’s newest addition to the heavyweight roster is expected to make his promotional debut in April 2021 when the promotion’s 2021 season is scheduled to kickoff.