Scott Coker on Cris Cyborg’s title win and what's next, Sergio Pettis’ debut, more after Bellator 238
Bellator president Scott Coker offers his thoughts on the winners and losers from Bellator 238.
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Bellator 238 took place Saturday at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., where Cris Cyborg made history.
In defeating Julia Budd by fourth-round TKO in the night’s main event, Cyborg became the first fighter to win major championships in four separate promotions – Strikeforce, Invicta FC, the UFC, and now Bellator.
The event also included Darrion Caldwell moving on to the featherweight grand prix quarterfinals with a submission win over previously undefeated Adam Borics.
As is customary, Bellator president Scott Coker spoke with reporters afterward and offered his reaction to those outcomes and more. You can read below or watch the video above.
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On Cris Cyborg’s championship win over Julia Budd
“It was electric in there, and I think that Cyborg came in, and she looked super explosive, like really good. Julia looked great, too, but as the rounds went on, Cyborg started dominating the fight and instilled her will on Julia. That’s the way I saw it, but in that first round anything could’ve happened, someone could’ve gotten caught, and you know, get a finish.
“It was a great fight. It was really intense in there, and I’m proud of both ladies. Julia Budd is a great fighter. She’s someone who’s had the belt for a long time, and I think everybody can now see why. She’s gotten so much respect among her peers and fans.”
On a potential rematch between Cris Cyborg and Julia Budd
Cris Cyborg and Julia Budd at Bellator 238. (Dave Mandel, MMA Junkie)
“That really depends on what happens in the next year. I think Julia, I haven’t talked to Julia, but I’m just assuming from knowing her that she’s going to want to come back and get busy. So if she gets on a tear and Cyborg keeps winning then maybe we’ll get it on again, but in this sport you never know.”
On Cris Cyborg wanting a women’s featherweight grand prix
“I think we have eight girls that are solid, but I’ll tell you what: After that performance, she’s going to be a tough fight for anybody in the weight class, so they better bring it, because she’s a beast, explosive, and she looked like she didn’t miss a beat in my opinion. That’s why I call her the greatest fighter of all time today in the female division, and I think you saw it with your own eyes today.”
On Sergio Pettis’ successful Bellator debut
Sergio Pettis submits Alfred Khashakyan at Bellator 238. (Dave Mandel, MMA Junkie)
“I think he looked great. I think he’s right in that mix, because with (Kyoji) Horiguchi being out and DC (Darrion Caldwell) being in the (featherweight) tournament, we’re going to host a 135-pound championship (fight) at some point. But we’re going to wait and see how these guys perform over the course of two, three, four months, because we will be doing 30 (events) this year in 2020.
“So well have a lot of opportunity for these guys to get some more fights under their belt, and we’ll probably host a 135-pound championship fight in some time.”
On Darrion Caldwell’s quick submission win over Adam Borics
“Caldwell surprised me. Let’s be honest: We thought that may work out the other way, but in a fight anything can happen.
“I think that was one of the fights that could’ve maybe had a different outcome, but he went and did his thing. He wants to fight for that million dollars at the end of the year. The only thing I didn’t like was the backflip at the end off the cage. I think I’ve seen enough of that. I tell my guys, ‘Please, let’s just stop that.'”
On boxing champion Ava Knight suffering her first MMA loss
“Ava Knight had something to prove tonight. She fought a girl that had some great ground skills and beat her, so back to the drawing board. I know she’ll bounce back, train hard, and this is not an easy sport, as you all may know.
“This is a difficult sport, so we wish her luck in training and maybe in three or four months we can have her back.”