Scott Coker Says Bellator Is Considering 5-Round Main Events

In an interview with MMA Junkie at the Bellator 185 post-fight conference, Bellator MMA President Scott Coker said the promotion is considering five-round main events. This followed a disputed unanimous decision win for Gegard Mousasi (43-6-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) over Alexander Shlemenko (56-10 MMA, 12-4 BMMA) at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. There have been questions over what might have happened with two more rounds. The UFC started having five-round non-title main events in June 2011.

Coker said: “That’s something we’ve been really debating internally. Because once we do it, we can’t go back. Right now all the main events except for title fights are three rounds. … If this was a five-round fight, it could have ended in a different outcome. We’re going to evaluate internally, we’ll talk to our guys and then we’ll talk about it. At some point, we’ll probably do it, but once we do it, we’re not going to be able to come back.”

He didn’t reveal when a decision would be made.