Scott Coker

By FCF Staff

The class action lawsuit which has been filed against the UFC reportedly refers to Bellator as a minor league, and not surprisingly, the promotion’s president disagrees.

The UFC is facing a lawsuit that accuses it of violating antitrust laws and monopolizing the MMA industry, and further, it argues Bellator is not a viable competitor. In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, however, here is some of what Bellator President Scott Coker had to say about the promotion being characterized that way:

“Do I think Bellator is a minor league?” Coker said. “The answer is no.”

“I would say four years ago, people would say that about Strikeforce,” Coker furthered. “They’d say, ‘Oh, UFC has the best fighters, the best champs.’ That can be debated. Look at Luke Rockhold, what he’s done. Look at Daniel Cormier, what he’s done. Look at Tyron Woodley, OSP. The names go on and on and on of all the great Strikeforce fighters that have done really well over there.”

Coker was the driving force behind Strikeforce, which as the Bellator exec noted, promoted several fighters who have gone on to be considerable stars in the UFC. ZUFFA, the parent company of the UFC, purchased Strikeforce in 2011.

Coker has also said that Bellator plans to compete for major free agents as they enter the marketplace. In addition, the executive relayed that Bellator has reached out to former UFC heavyweight champ, Brock Lesnar, however, no negotiations have taken place.

Lesar hasn’t said whether he intends to fight again, after his pro-wrestling deal with WWE reportedly ends in early 2015.