Bellator collaboration with Rizin should be MMA’s future

Bellator and Rizin are beginning to get comfy working collectively, it appears.

Meaning co-promoted occasions between the 2 organizations, like Bellator X Rizin 2 set for July 30 in Japan, might turn into extra frequent. Actually, Bellator president Scott Coker thinks they need to be a daily factor.

Coker lengthy has been a supporter of Japanese MMA and fight sports activities and has been a frequent traveler there throughout his intensive and prolonged profession in martial arts. So it’s no shock he’ll bounce at alternatives to maintain Bellator concerned there, and significantly when he can work with Rizin head Nobuyuki Sakakibara, who was on the helm for PRIDE when it was offered to the UFC in 2007.

“Once I consider blended martial arts, I at all times take into consideration Japan,” Coker stated. “This actually was the mecca. Once I was rising up as a promoter, all of the eyes had been on Japan. All the very best fighters on this planet fought right here. In the future, I stated I’m going to go there and we’re going to do some work collectively once I get into the blended martial arts enterprise. So when Sakakibara got here again (to Rizin), I used to be actually excited as a result of we are able to do issues like we’re going to do on July 30 – one thing that has by no means been achieved earlier than the place two organizations are getting collectively to create one present for the followers that basically might be spectacular. I actually really feel this needs to be the way forward for blended martial arts preventing.”

At Bellator X Rizin 2, a Bellator occasion will embody a light-weight grand prix quarterfinal headliner in Bellator’s common cage and an inaugural flyweight title combat. However Rizin can have its personal fights, too, that may happen in its normal ring. Some Bellator fighters, like Juan Archuleta, will combat below the Rizin banner. Some Rizin fighters will combat for Bellator.

In 2015 in San Jose, Calif., Bellator partnered with Glory Kickboxing for a present that had a cage and ring in the identical enviornment – and likewise had 4 fights that went on concurrently in each enclosures.

Sakakibara stated his working relationship with Coker is one that’s constructed on assist moderately than rivalry, which permits the collaborations to occur.

“Final yr, we had been capable of do a promotion vs. promotion occasion on New 12 months’s Eve with the assistance of Scott Coker, who understands and values the Japanese blended martial arts scene very a lot,” Sakakibara stated. “In a world the place individuals discuss trash amongst one another, we had been capable of cooperate and have a productive occasion. We’ve been on this enterprise for 30 years now and we’ve been capable of construct.

“We’ve one thing completely different and particular for you all this yr. With Bellator and Scott Coker’s assist, with Scott Coker’s love and keenness for this neighborhood, we will mix two occasions into one. … It’s going to assure you an extravaganza – one thing very distinctive. So from this level on, myself and all of the workers might be on fingers on deck to finalize and promote this occasion to be the largest summer season occasion in Japan.”

Coker echoed Sakakibara’s ideas on the ability of co-promotion.

“I wish to thank Nobuyuki Sakakibara for permitting us to return right here and be a part of this,” Coker stated. “He actually doesn’t must. He’s been an awesome chief. I’d arguably say he’ll go down as one of many best combat promoters of all time. He’s been an awesome mentor for me, despite the fact that he doesn’t comprehend it, so any likelihood I get to return right here to work with him, I at all times say sure. We’ve been planning this occasion for the final 4 months, and we’re actually going to ship one thing spectacular.”