Even with a certain level of uncertainty surrounding the future of Bellator MMA, the organization is just days away from this Saturday’s monumental 300th event.
Yesterday, Bellator president Scott Coker spoke with the media, and naturally the biggest question on everyone’s mind was in regard to what lies ahead for the company. Coker has always been fairly open about Bellator’s potential sale to the PFL, but on this occasion he kept things vague, and promised to answer any questions that reporters have in the press conference scheduled to follow Bellator 300.
Scott Coker on the rumored Bellator sale. #Bellator300 pic.twitter.com/AfkpgdkdAb
— Drake Riggs (@DrakeRiggs_) October 4, 2023
“I think at this press conference we’re here to talk about these athletes on (Bellator) 300, then, at the post-fight press conference, I’ll answer anything you want. To me right now, everything I’ve heard is there’s dialogue ongoing. It’s still an ongoing situation. The situation from last month to now really hasn’t changed that much. I don’t have a lot to say, but that’s kind of where it’s at right now.”
-Scott Coker via MMA Junkie.
Rumors began swirling about Viacom’s interest in selling the long-standing MMA promotion to the PFL back in June, since then very little solid information has surfaced as a result of the discussions. The secondary scenario that many individuals are speculating is that Bellator could outright fold, converting every one of their fighters to free agents to be divided among the other major organizations.
In the headlining bout of this weekend’s milestone event, undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov (17-0) will attempt to defend his lightweight championship title versus Brent Primus (12-3).
Nurmagomedov has been running through his competition since signing with Bellator in 2021. Roughly one year ago, he defeated the legendary Patricky Pitbull (25-11) by Unanimous decision at Bellator 288. Just four months later, Nurmagomedov defended his title for the first time against another veteran of the sport in Benson Henderson (30-12), who he finished by way of rear naked choke in the very first round.
𝑨𝒓𝒆 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝑬𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅? ⚔️@Usmannmgdv put on the perfect performance against Benson Henderson in March! ⚡️
Will he do the same against Brent Primus? 🤔
🎟️ Buy tickets for #Bellator300 via @axs ➡️ https://t.co/RV1EwkItpl pic.twitter.com/ESoUJi2xqD
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 2, 2023
Primus has been with the company since 2013, and has been a part of many of the organization’s important events dating back to Bellator 101. Most recently, back in May, Primus defeated Mansour Barnaoui (20-6) in a unanimous decision. In 2017 the native of Eugene, Oregon defeated Michael Chandler (23-8) to earn the lightweight title, a title which he hopes to reclaim this Saturday.
Usman Nurmagomedov @Usmannmgdv vs Brent Primus @brentprimus155 #Bellator300 pic.twitter.com/xAQYACgzVx
— Helen Yee (@HelenYeeSports) October 4, 2023
Despite Bellator’s future being currently unknown, the card this Saturday is nothing short of outstanding, and should not be discounted for even a second due to the company’s status.