Scott Coker announces return to MMA with new league in 2027

The founder of Strikeforce and the CEO of Bellator MMA Scott Coker’s name in the sport of MMA is secured in history as one of the greatest promoters in Mixed Martial Arts.  A lifelong martial artist Scott Coker started promoting KickBoxing and Muay Thai events in the Bay area of Northern California in the mid 1980’s and has been one of World’s most successful Combat Sports promoters for more than 4o years.

In a press release and a social media post Scott Coker is returning to run a new MMA organization that has not been named publicly yet.  In the announcement it was shared that Coker has teamed up with several investors and big names with long established contacts in the entertainment industry. Kevin Kay who was the former President of Paramount and Spike TV is on the investor and advisory board of the new organization alongside former Viacom Chief Financial officer Wade Davis, and former Sony Pictures TV chair Steve Mosko who owns the DC United soccer team.  Skateboard legend Tony Hawk was also named as an initial investing partner of the organization.

The promotion will be a joint effort between Scott Coker and Peter Levin who is Griffin Gaming Partners Co Founder and worked with Strikeforce prior to the organization being purchased by the UFC.  Coker who is set to run a San Jose Fight Night event later next month went on to say this, “I always knew I wanted to come back when the time was right, with the right vision and a carefully curated team.  That time is now.  There is an incredible demand for a fresh, new global brand in MMA.  This new league is about returning to what matters: the integrity of competition, respect for the athletes and sharing their remarkable journeys with the world. We are building something authentic, something that belongs to the athletes and to the fans who live and breathe this sport. I’ve spent nearly two years developing this concept, and I’m thankful to Peter, and all our investors and the team we’re putting together.”

No further details about the league have been announced, more info on how the league will operate, how many events they wish to hold, and what the roster will look like are going to be revealed later on.  Levine went on to say, “Scott is a generational operator in the world of combat sports.  He has proven time and again that he can scale a business globally and profitably.  His ‘fighters-first’ orientation has earned him loyalty and admiration from MMA athletes around the globe and across generations.  He’s a world beater and I’m looking forward yet again to embarking on this journey together.”

Cris Cyborg had this to say about the news, “Scott Coker is a real martial artists and in my 21 year career is the best promoter I fought for in terms of giving me a big stage, compensating me fairly and treating me with respect before, during, and after my time with him as a fighter.  He is one of the greatest promoters in the history of Combat Sports and I’m excited to see what he can do with his great team of partners.”  Cyborg who currently has 1 fight remaining on her PFL MMA contract has been adament that she is retiring at the end of her legacy tour following the conclusion of her next PFL fight, however fans have to wonder with the recent success of MVP MMA and the announcement of Scott Coker’s MMA return if the Grand Slam Champion might stick around for 1 or 2 more fights.