Scott Coker
Since taking over as President of Bellator MMA in mid-2014, Scott Coker has applied his vast martial arts and fight promotion expertise and created an increasing buzz for the mixed martial arts company.
While general MMA fans may only be familiar with Dana White and UFC, knowledgeable fans know how important the founder of Strikeforce has been in the innovation and evolution of MMA as a sport.
Strikeforce was founded in 1985 originally as a kickboxing organization and eventually evolved into becoming the number two MMA organization. It has now been 10 years since Strikeforce’s first MMA event and five years since Zuffa (UFC’s parent company) bought Strikeforce. Strikeforce’s legacy continues to this day with many of their fighters going on and becoming UFC champions including Ronda Rousey, Daniel Cormier, Luke Rockhold, Robbie Lawler and Miesha Tate.
Scott has been a lifelong martial arts practitioner, both as student and teacher, who lives and breathes martial arts and applies the concepts and principles to his career. His devotion to martial arts shows in the fight world as he is admired throughout the industry, including by rival promoters.
Last November, we were able to sit down with Scott at the Bellator offices in San Jose, California and discussed his personal upbringing, martial arts background, fight promotion and the world of professional mixed martial arts.