Scott Coker Says Bellator MMA Not Interested in Fedor Emelianenko Right Now

Speaking to MMAjunkie, Bellator MMA President Scott Coker revealed that Bellator is currently not interested in hiring former Pride FC heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko, who is currently prepping for a return to MMA. Coker previously promoted and worked with Emelianenko in Strikeforce. The two reportedly have a good relationship, and Emelianenko has made promotional appearances for Bellator in the past.

Coker stated ahead of Bellator 141: “We’ve had conversations, but not about fighting. I just felt Fedor is a great legend. He’s on the Mount Rushmore of MMA. We had a great time doing the fights together with Fedor (in Strikeforce) … I felt like we’ve done it already with Fedor.”

Coker did not completely rule out Emelianenko appearing in Bellator MMA at some point. He continued: “We’ve got a great roster and a great thing going. When he comes back into the market, I feel like he’s going to come back for three or four years. He’s not going to come back for one fight. And he is coming back – for sure. … But I’m not sure where he’s going – if he’s close to signing with the UFC, I hear rumors of this and that. I haven’t asked him. Let’s let him come back and see how it works out for him, and then maybe we’ll have him fight a couple years down the line, or next year, or whatever. The door is open, but I felt like at this point, Bellator is kind of on a little bit of a roll here. Would he add a lot of value? Yes. But we’re just going to sit back and see what happens.”

Previously, Dana White said the UFC was nearly close to signing a fight between Emelianenko and Brock Lesnar for a fight about two and a half years ago. The plans fell through.