Bellator President Scott Coker Says His People Are Talking to Yair Rodriguez to See If He’s Really a Free Agent, Discusses the Rumors of 50 Cent Fighting Rampage in MMA

MMAjunkie recently spoke to Bellator MMA president Scott Coker ahead of Bellator 199. Below are some highlights.

Scott Coker on if Bellator MMA is talking to Yair Rodriguez: “My guys are talking to him, from what I understand. To say he’s a free agent, we’d just like to see the documentation. Where’s your release letter? If he’s truly free and clear, then we can have a serious conversation. Let’s make sure that we dot our I’s and cross out T’s.”

Coker on not being clear if Rodriguez is 100 percent gone: “Just because they say you’re fired, legally I don’t think that means you’re fired. When you get that letter, that means you’re released. So let’s see what happens with that. It could’ve been an emotional outburst and they say, ‘Hey, we want you back.’ You never know. There must be more to it than we know. But that’s their business, and we’ll let them deal with it. He’s a tough kid. I will say this: Anybody that’s a free agent that is a top-10 (fighter) or top contender, we’re going to have a conversation with everybody – any weight class. If you’re the guy, and you’re a free agent, we’re going to have a conversation.”

Coker on the 50 Cent vs. Rampage rumors: “I left the meeting. Then I come home, and there he is. Boom, to his (18 million) Instagram followers. And then my phone is blowing up: ‘Hey, are you signing 50 Cent to a fight?’ A lot of speculation at what’s going on. But, listen, the guy, I haven’t even talked to him about fighting.”

Coker on 50 Cent possibly fighting: “Jackson vs. Jackson? I mean, you know, they shouldn’t be fighting. I think that, with 50 Cent, if he wanted to train and really get in there and do it, I think he probably could do it. The guy is in great shape. But to fight Rampage? … I’m like this: Why can’t we all just be friends, you know? We should all just be friends. I think when ‘Rampage’ and 50 Cent meet one day, I think they’ll get along. It’ll all be fun. It’s a good time. … But I mean, seriously, what (50 Cent) wants to do in the sport, who knows? Maybe he wants to manage some fighters. I think he wants to sponsor some fighters.”