Serious claims levied against Bellator MMA

[Wild]

Former UFC and Strikeforce fighter Zach Light filed a wrongful termination lawsuit on Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court against Bellator MMA and its parent company Viacom, "due to [Light] having protested certain illegal practices jeopardizing the health and safety of professional fighters and mixed martial artists all for defendants' profit and financial gain."

According to the complaint, after concluding his fight career in 2011, Light became Bellator's Talent Development Director under founder and former CEO Bjorn Rebney, receiving "the highest rankings on his annual reviews."

But Bellator's management practices allegedly changed when Scott Coker replaced Rebney as CEO in June of 2014. According to Light, "Gone were the regular and recurring mandates from prior management to obey and exceed the high standards of adherence to state and national rules and regulations governing mixed martial arts events."

In particular, Light claims he learned from a reliable source that Ryan Martinez's blood and eye medicals submitted to Arizona officials for Bellator 126 "were admittedly forged." At Bellator 131 in San Diego, Light claims he learned "a number of fighters on the card had submitted California state-required medicals by one Adam Rendon, who was not a licensed physician, in violation of Business and Professions Code, §§ 18711 and 17500."

Light further claims he was pressured by Coker to promote what are described as "collusive fights" related to MMA manager Anthony McGann, whom Light claims Coker referred to as a "fucking terrorist."

LINK: Former employee claims Bellator allowed ‘forged’ and ‘falsified’ fighter medical reports

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Click the link & read all of this one guys & gals. Some serious claims here.

 

[Ted Williams' head]

Uh oh

I like how they chose a picture of Coker where he's looking "Kim jong il"-ish for this article

 

[Limpy]

 

[Lukewarm Carl]

The fact that it's written by Paul Gift makes me think that there is at least a match worth of fire to this smoke. Maybe not a full blown inferno but maybe a birthday candle or two. He's pretty thorough and accurate about topics that he dives into.

 

[kneeblock]

Looks like the Chinese consortium may be able to take over the whole sport at fire sale prices before the year's out.

 

[Wild]

The fact that it's written by Paul Gift makes me think that there is at least a match worth of fire to this smoke. Maybe not a full blown inferno but maybe a birthday candle or two. He's pretty thorough and accurate about topics that he dives into.

Agree. Paul is very good at what he does.

 

[Jesus X]

explains DaDa 5000 passing his physical.

 

[Left Hook Larry]

inb4 @stielar and @TheEmperorRises

 

[Kingtony87]

In for diaz I'm not surprised

 

[RaginCajun]

 

[ErikMagraken]

I have read the filed lawsuit. It is basically an unlawful dismissal claim by a fired employee. That being said there are some very serious allegations made in the complaint. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. If the plaintiff has proof behind the allegations he is making this can prove troublesome for Bellator.

 

[TheEmperorRises]

I have read the filed lawsuit. It is basically an unlawful dismissal claim by a fired employee. That being said there are some very serious allegations made in the complaint. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. If the plaintiff has proof behind the allegations he is making this can prove troublesome for Bellator.

Yeah, I'm gonna hope for the best and reserve judgement till I get the whole story.

But if it's true, fuck this sport. I'll be depressed for awhile, but I've still got my Spurs (not this year of course, f'n OKC).

 

[Wild]

I really really really hope that these claims are false, or grossly exaggerated. Always respected Coker and felt he truly cares for the fighters.

 

[Ryann Von Doom]

Interesting.

 

[Ranger]

Man, I like bellator... If coker gets fired, I hope they can find someone more suitable to replace him. I wonder if we can get Jimmy's take and cuttman matt's?

 

[Clappin'Daddys]

I've always respected Coker and want bellator to succeed but if these allegations turn out to be true, I just won't be able to support Coker. Dude has to follow the rules and do what's morally right. I'd fucking hate for mma as a whole to take a giant blow because of this.

At this point, still just allegations from an ex employee. I hope it remains just that. Mma doesn't need this.

 

[Ranger]

@CutmanMatt @Jimmy Smith

 

[F*K Censorship]

I refuse to believe...

 

[CutmanMatt]

I can't comment on this for two reasons -

1. I dont know anything about anything he's talking about. Not in my lane.

2. If Bellator says they're not commenting, I'm sure as fuck not commenting.

3. I said there were only two reasons, why are you reading this?

 

[DFW4L]

with such very specific and rather easy to determine of accuracy of allegations this is very interesting, I was expecting much more vague allegations

 

[DFW4L]

I've always respected Coker and want bellator to succeed but if these allegations turn out to be true, I just won't be able to support Coker. Dude has to follow the rules and do what's morally right. I'd fucking hate for mma as a whole to take a giant blow because of this.

At this point, still just allegations from an ex employee. I hope it remains just that. Mma doesn't need this.

Bellator Coker is not the same guy as SF Coker, he is an open liar now, he said this after DaDa/Kimbo:

'DaDa was in great shape'

 

[Andrewsimar Palhardass]

Bellator's stable of fighters > Scott Coker

 

[Hong Kong Phooey]

Wow, ruh roh , and Zach Light

 

[RaginCajun]

With the yakuza ruining Pride, the UFC being controlled by the mob with a boxercise instructor that pretends to be tougher than the fighters, and this possible shit with Bellator it is hard to be a fan of this sport sometimes.
Hopefully the accusations are not true and it is just a disgruntled employee trying to get a free pay check.

 

[Sheepdog]

Bellator Coker is not the same guy as SF Coker, he is an open liar now, he said this after DaDa/Kimbo:

'DaDa was in great shape'

I agree with this. I am anti-Zuffa guy and I loved Strikeforce so naturally I allowed myself to buy into the 'Coker is a great guy' myth, but none of his actions at Bellator are compatible with this reputation. He is almost certainly under pressure from his superiors, but it's no excuse.

I'm not referring to these specific allegations, by the way. We still need to see this play out.