Bellator MMA President Scott Coker is going to be in attendance tomorrow now at Bellator 214 when Ryan Bader and Fedor Emelianenko battle in the finals of the Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix.
Emelianenko has stated that his professional MMA career could be coming to an end soon, but Coker believes that decision could be made based out how Bellator 214 plays out.
“You, we had a brief conversation about that. I think that the…I think it just depends on what happens, he comes out and looks great…does great, I think that he’ll have one direction and if it doesn’t work out for him, he might have another direction. That’s something that only he knows and after the fight, he’ll know,” Coker says during a Bellator 214 media scrum that Fightful’s James Lynch took part in.
If Emelianenko does choose to end his professional MMA career, it would be the second time that the legendary heavyweight has retired since turning pro in May of 2000.
Controversy recently reared it’s ugly head when the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) chose not to punish UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones after a long term metabolite was found in his VADA drug test, a decision that Coker questions.
“I called Andy Foster, it was a private conversation and I’ll keep it at that. From a company standpoint, I think its very disappointing. You go out there and put your reputation on the line, the health and safety and all the weight cutting…we’ve always supported the commission and we continue to support the commission. Listen, if a fighter had PEDs in him…he’s got PEDs in him. That’s how I feel, to be the judge, jury and the executioner now…it’s a little challenging for me to accept. It is what it is, I always said we will go by the commission rules and we will continue (to do so). But I don’t think it was the right call, but that was his call to make. For 32 years, I have been with the California State (Athletic) Commission and I think this is one of the few times I have said ‘hey, this is not right.’ We’ll see what happens from here,” says Coker.
Bellator 214 takes place on Saturday, January 26 from The Forum in Inglewood, California with Ryan Bader and Fedor Emelianenko headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on the Paramount Network.
