In The Beginning
Bellator MMA on Friday marks the sixth anniversary of its first event in 2009 and its first full year under new president Scott Coker. For a promotion that has undergone constant evolution since its early days as principally a Spanish-language telecast on ESPN Deportes, Coker reshaping the direction of the company is nothing new. Arguably more than any other MMA organization in history, Bellator has been defined by change. It is that malleability that has allowed Bellator to survive and thrive as MMA’s No. 2 promotion while so many others have fallen by the wayside.
When Bjorn Rebney founded Bellator MMA in 2008, the big hook was tournaments. They were marketed as a way to allow fighters to control their own destiny rather than leaving themselves at the whims of promoters. In reality, it was a savvy vehicle to make stars out of unknown fighters on a budget. Tournaments make it harder to protect and groom big-name fighters, but if you lack big names to begin with, they add prestige and notoriety that do not necessarily come with a three-fight winning streak over other unknown fighters. In another smart touch, Bellator added a $100,000 incentive for winning a tournament, reducing the risk of fighters pulling out of competition due to injury and ruining the brackets....
Bellator MMA on Friday marks the sixth anniversary of its first event in 2009 and its first full year under new president Scott Coker. For a promotion that has undergone constant evolution since its early days as principally a Spanish-language telecast on ESPN Deportes, Coker reshaping the direction of the company is nothing new. Arguably more than any other MMA organization in history, Bellator has been defined by change. It is that malleability that has allowed Bellator to survive and thrive as MMA’s No. 2 promotion while so many others have fallen by the wayside.
When Bjorn Rebney founded Bellator MMA in 2008, the big hook was tournaments. They were marketed as a way to allow fighters to control their own destiny rather than leaving themselves at the whims of promoters. In reality, it was a savvy vehicle to make stars out of unknown fighters on a budget. Tournaments make it harder to protect and groom big-name fighters, but if you lack big names to begin with, they add prestige and notoriety that do not necessarily come with a three-fight winning streak over other unknown fighters. In another smart touch, Bellator added a $100,000 incentive for winning a tournament, reducing the risk of fighters pulling out of competition due to injury and ruining the brackets....
