Bellator announces 'long-term contract extension' with Bobby Lashley

[La Paix]

http://mmajunkie.com/2015/03/bellat...ng-term-contract-extension-with-bobby-lashley

"Two-time Bellator MMA veteran and former professional wrestling superstar Bobby Lashley (12-2) has signed a “long-term contract extension” with the California-based organization.

Bellator MMA officials recently announced the new deal, though terms of the contract were not revealed.

“I’ve had two fights with Bellator, and I’m happy to be calling the promotion my home,” Lashley stated. “Scott Coker and the company have really reignited my desire to fight, and I’m looking forward to a huge year with some dominant wins.”

Coker also employed Lashley for three appearances under the Strikeforce banner, as well...."

 

[Pitbull9]

I don't even get this move. The guy is "injured" all the time yet is on TNA every night. He never fights and when he does it's against a gimme fighter which is bs. Personally I wish Bellator said fight or fuck off.

 

[Zeph]

I don't even get this move. The guy is "injured" all the time yet is on TNA every night. He never fights and when he does it's against a gimme fighter which is bs. Personally I wish Bellator said fight or fuck off.

I think they have just signed it, so they in the event he should want to fight, he will do it with their promotion. In return for this 'retainer' type contract he probably gets some sort of sign on bonus and a guaranteed amount amount should he fight. Meanwhile he can do TNA and pick up his cheques from them.

 

[Pitbull9]

I think they have just signed it, so they in the event he should want to fight, he will do it with their promotion. In return for this 'retainer' type contract he probably gets some sort of sign on bonus and a guaranteed amount amount should he fight. Meanwhile he can do TNA and pick up his cheques from them.

But how was he injured for Thompson fight but still able to wrestle?

 

[Jonny Quest]

Bellators Lesnar LOL

 

[Zeph]

But how was he injured for Thompson fight but still able to wrestle?

Fucked up his cycle?

 

[Morpheushasleftthebuilding]

can't remember me, when Lashley fought for the last time.

 

[Silverball]

Every announcement from Bellator has been underwhelming since Coker took over. There's all this talk on message boards about "Viacom money", but no evidence that they're willing spend some of that to move their MMA organization up to the next level.

 

[Zeph]

Every announcement from Bellator has been underwhelming since Coker took over. There's all this talk on message boards about "Viacom money", but no evidence that they're willing spend some of that to move their MMA organization up to the next level.

Viacom want Bellator to stand on their own legs. They don't want a property that leaks money, who would? Within those confines I think Coker is doing a great job.

 

[Silverball]

Viacom want Bellator to stand on their own legs. They don't want a property that leaks money, who would? Within those confines I think Coker is doing a great job.

What would you say Coker's done thus far that would better allow Bellator to "stand on their own legs"? I can't think of a single major move he's made aside from adding a ramp for fighter entrances. I was a fan pre-ZUFFA Strikeforce, so I'm not trying dick, but so far I've been underwhelmed.

 

[Zeph]

What would you say Coker's done thus far that would better allow Bellator to "stand on their own legs"? I can't think of a single major move he's made aside from adding a ramp for fighter entrances. I was a fan pre-ZUFFA Strikeforce, so I'm not trying dick, but so far I've been underwhelmed.

Removing the tournament structure and reducing the number of events. Increasing the production value, which increases the viewing experience and increases the audience is a second. Making the right match ups to draw interest from hardcores and casuals alike is a third. These are three things you can point to as an outsider, there are likely more behind the scenes and that is before you get to intangibles like that Scott Coker is a lot more respected within the sport by everyone than Bjorn.

 

[seekntruth]

What would you say Coker's done thus far that would better allow Bellator to "stand on their own legs"? I can't think of a single major move he's made aside from adding a ramp for fighter entrances. I was a fan pre-ZUFFA Strikeforce, so I'm not trying dick, but so far I've been underwhelmed.

As far as fighter acquisitions, there hasn't been much he can do as most of the elite fighters are tied up with Zuffa.

It's a whole different landscape currently with Zuffa's bloated roster than when Coker was running Strikeforce and there were a ton of fighters floating around. There were only like 200 or 250 fighters under contract with Zuffa then, now I think it's around 500, so the pickings are slim...hell I remember not long before Zuffa had the policy change to locking every fighter possible up under contract, where EGG was constantly talking about how they had way to many fighters and they were cutting 5-10 a week it seemed. So a competing Org then would have a far easier time in building a strong roster.

Coker has always been good at finding talent and fostering them in to stars, but that takes time(years in most cases). Coker has made a obvious shift(for the good imo) in direction since replacing Bjork and it's gonna be a while till it all comes together. Patience is key.

 

[dacofty]

can't remember me, when Lashley fought for the last time.

WIN Karl Etherington Bellator MMA - Bellator 130 Oct / 24 / 2014 TKO (Submission to Punches)

 

[Silverball]

"Coker has always been good at finding talent and fostering them in to stars, but that takes time(years in most cases). Coker has made a obvious shift(for the good imo) in direction since replacing Bjork and it's gonna be a while till it all comes together. Patience is key."

I'm a fan of what Coker did in San Jose with Strikeforce, and it's a shame that he was forced to sell it to Zuffa. That sucked for him, for Strikeforce, and for the sport of MMA, in my opinion. I'm a fan of Coker, and he's a big improvement over Bjorn, but does he have years to wait around, pondering the future, fostering talent, etc. I don't think so, and I think a lot of the changes he's being given credit for were decisions made by Viacom and Spike prior to his hiring. The look and added production values for televised events are all him because it looks exactly like what he was trying to do in Strikeforce. The rise of Strikeforce had more to do with the fall of Elite XC, than it did Coker's ability to find talent, and that's not to say that Scott isn't capable of finding talent and nurturing it. Coker signed a bunch of talented prospects early on in their careers, but most of that talent ended up in the UFC before paying any real dividends for Strikeforce. So in a sense it took too long, and that'll be an issue in Bellator as well if a year from now we're still talking Lashley signings.