Bellator MMA has seen lots of success in the United States, England and Italy, but hasn’t found lots of success in Canada.
Things are about to change according to Bellator MMA President Scott Coker,and the key to that change is Canadian fighter Rory MacDonald.
“It’s definitely possible,” Coker said after Bellator 179. “Ever since (Georges St-Pierre) kind of stepped aside and went into retirement, Canada has not been the market that it used to be. A kid like Rory could definitely spark it up again.”
The promotion hasn’t run an event in Canada since Bellator 119 and that event took place over three years ago.
Although the promotion has no plans to run in Canada this year, things could take a turn towards the better in 2018.
“It’s something we’re scheduling to do,” Coker said. “Is it on the books for ’17? I’d say it won’t happen in ’17. But in 2018, I think that we’ll definitely go to Canada. In fact, we’re talking to several venues up there in several cities.”
MacDonald made a successful promotional debut at Bellator 179, where he submitted Paul Daley in the main event of the show with a second round rear naked choke.
