Bellator President Scott Coker Kiboshes Rumors Of Gina Carano’s Imminent Signing; Says They Have Only Had One Conversation

News, Top Story

Ever since former Strikeforce head honcho, Scott Coker landed at Bellator, there has been a new “Bellator buzz” that has been sweeping across the MMA community.

There is certainly a reason. With the recent announcement that Bellator has signed featherweights Julia Budd and Marloes Coenen, there was speculation that Coker was on the verge of snatching Gina Carano away from the UFC and signing Cristiane Justino from Invicta as well.

Coker appeared on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour to address the speculation.

“We’ve had one quick conversation with [Carano’s manager] Scott [Karp], and that was it,” he said. “And it was just one quick conversation and there was nothing really made of it. I think that Gina wants to fight at 135. And as far as Cyborg, we haven’t talked to her because she’s under contract fighting in Invicta, but if she becomes available, then we’ll have a conversation with her.”

Coker said that the main problem was Carano’s desire to fight in the 135 divison, a weight class that Bellator doesn’t currently offer.

“Well, we don’t have a 135 division, and I can’t say what she’s going to do or what she’s not going to do, because she’s got commitments with her films, and she’s already very busy and she’s got a good acting career,” Coker said. “So it’s really up to her and her schedule.”