‘I’m cautiously optimistic’ – Bellator president Scott Coker provides update on pursuit of ex-UFC superstars Francis Ngannou and Nate Diaz
Bellator president Scott Coker is ‘cautiously optimistic’ that he’ll signal former UFC superstars Francis Ngannou and Nate Diaz.
Following protracted and in the end unfruitful contract talks, Ngannou vacated his undisputed heavyweight title and left the UFC to discover free company earlier this 12 months.
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Francis Ngannou not too long ago left the UFC and has been calling out the highest heavyweight boxers
Since then, ‘The Predator’ has expressed an curiosity in taking boxing bouts in opposition to Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Deontay Wilder who all appear open to combating him.
Nevertheless, Ngannou doesn’t need to shut the door on his MMA profession and Coker has defined why Bellator is the proper place for him to pursue each sports activities.
He instructed talkSPORT: “We’re in contact with Francis. I feel he’s exploring all of the choices at this level, as he ought to.
“Our pitch to him is: ‘Look, we’ve got the identical mum or dad firm as Showtime pay-per-view boxing.
“So, if you wish to come right here and have a house in MMA and you’d even have a house in Showtime pay-per-view boxing. It will likely be like a one-cease store and you don’t should juggle round completely different leagues.’
“I feel that’s one of the robust fits about this firm, that we might make a deal for Showtime Boxing in addition to the blended martial arts half. So, that dialog is ongoing.”
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Bellator president Scott Coker is assured he can over Ngannou an ideal deal
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The identical factor goes for one more ex-UFC fighter, Nate Diaz
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Diaz brought his 15-year stay with MMA’s premier promotion to an end following a submission win over Tony Ferguson in September 2022.
The UFC legend has since been linked to boxing bouts against Jake Paul and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez but is yet to announce his next move.
Coker added: “It’s the same thing with Nate. I just think when Nate is ready to fight, then we’ll know where he’s going to go. Listen, everyone is out talking to these guys, and they know it.
The 60-year-old understands he is facing stiff competition to sign the two biggest free agents in combat sports but is quietly confident he will do just that.
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Bellator 291 will happen it Dublin on Saturday evening
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Yaroslav Amosov will probably be combating for the primary time since placing his profession on maintain to defend his nation from invasion
Coker concluded: “They’re taking all of it in and when the timing is true, they’ll pull the set off.
“I feel we’ve got a really compelling supply for each guys to come back and struggle for us and I’m cautiously optimistic, however we’ll see.”
The UFC’s largest rival will maintain an on the 3Arena in Dublin tonight.
Bellator 291 will probably be headlined by a welterweight unification bout between Yaroslav Amosov, following his latest stint within the Ukrainian military, and Logan Storley, who gained an interim title throughout his absence.
