Scott Coker reveals target date, event for when Bellator will allow fans to return

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – It’s been 15 months since Bellator has welcomed fans to a live event in the U.S., but if all goes according to plan, that’ll change soon.

Bellator president Scott Coker revealed Thursday to MMA Junkie that the wheels are in motion for ticket sales to resume sometime in the next few weeks. Coker expects the June 11 event at Mohegan Sun Arena, Bellator 260, to be the promotion’s first with fans since Bellator 239 in February 2019.

“We’re working on a plan to, one, do fights here with fans here in this building,” Coker said after the Bellator 258 ceremonial weigh-ins. “I think by the June fights. I think the June 11 fight, we’ll have the ability to have a limited amount of fans.”

Unlike the UFC’s approach, Bellator will start off with limited capacity. Bellator will then follow state and Mohegan Department of Athletic Regulations guidelines as restrictions peel back, according to Coker.

“I think the number was 2,500 or 3,000,” Coker said. “We’ll start with that and the number will go up from there. We are looking at other venues to promote in different parts of the country. For everywhere we want to go, we have to submit a protocol to the company, and it’s quite a process. We’re in the process of doing that.”

While it’s not set in stone, Coker expects to leave the “Fight Sphere,” the Showtime-built bubble at Mohegan Sun, in August or September and begin the return to a normal, pre-pandemic travel schedule.

“I think that by August, September, we’ll definitely be on the road somewhere else and also promote and sell tickets here, as well,” Coker said. “To me, this has been a great home. When we were all shut down, this worked out almost like a sound stage. It’s like a private arena. They’ve been very good to us. It’s worked out, but it’s time to go and be in the ticket-selling business and start promoting Bellator the way it’s used to being promoted.”

While the full lineup has not been announced for Bellator 260, it’s currently headlined by welterweight champion Douglas Lima (32-7 MMA, 14-3 BMMA) as he is scheduled to fight Yaroslav Amosov (25-0 MMA, 6-0 BMMA).