Askren & Coker in Twitter War Over Near Bellator Deal

Ben Askren recently joined the UFC in a big trade between the UFC and ONE Championship that saw Demetrious Johnson sent to ONE. But according to Bellator CEO Scott Coker, there was a legit chance Askren, a former Bellator welterweight champion, could have returned to Bellator.

According to Coker, in a recent appearance on The Fight Guys podcast, there were discussions of Bellator co-promoting with ONE, which Askren was under contract to as its retired welterweight champion. The co-promotion could have seen Askren compete in the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix.

Askren, however, took to Twitter to dispute the report, stating that he was only interested in facing Bellator Welterweight Champion Rory MacDonald and that he was given a hard no in response. This prompted a back-and-forth on the social media platform between Askren and Coker.

Well this is about a half truth from @ScottCoker I wanted to fight Rory. He said no. Simple https://t.co/1LfsUnlLmU

— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) November 9, 2018

I know you’re used to people not responding to you, but the truth is you & your team were only interested in a one-fight deal & when we asked Bob Cook if you would fight in the Welterweight Grand Prix on a three fight deal – you didn’t want to do it. https://t.co/lwi08ZCfxA

— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) November 10, 2018

Scott so what about my tweet was false?? https://t.co/TW9wvUeEuK

— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) November 10, 2018

We would have given you @rory_macdonald to start the grand prix & you didn’t want to do it.

Which is fine, I just want to make sure the facts are straight, don’t spin it like Rory & I were ducking you. You chose not to enter the tournament. https://t.co/9dCvZhdtBZ

— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) November 10, 2018

I think you are pushing alternative facts here. I can go back and look through old messages/emails, but this sure isn’t the way I recall it. You and I both know Rory vs me looks very similar to Rory vs Gerard. https://t.co/Mb81gjArwA

— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) November 10, 2018

Original Story: MMA Fighting