Earlier this week, Scott Coker made headlines when he unveiled Ki MMA – his third foray into the sport after Strikeforce and Bellator. Two things stood out during his press conference.
First. Ki MMA would host a 32-man featherweight tournament, with fighters divided by region (North America, South America, Europe, and Asia). Second, its fights would occur inside a ring instead of a cage, as is standard in most of the world.
No fighters have been announced so far, but there is a hunch that featherweight will not be the only division Ki MMA will have. There will be others, and here are some ides that could pique Cokers interest.
In an alternate world, Muhammad Mokaev and Dana White would have resolved their differences, allowing the Dagestani-born Englishman to rejoin the UFC. Alas, that does not seem to be happening anytime soon, and the PFL also seems to be uninterested as it transitions into Jake Paul’s MVP MMA.
Luckily, Coker presents him with a surefire chance to validate his championship-caliber status. With the UFC having a virtual monopoly over flyweight talent, he may have to go 10 lbs. north to realize his dream.
Michael Page saw his UFC tenure end earlier this month, as he was not re-signed despite a 5-1 record. Fortunately, a familiar face should be willing to welcome him back.
“Venom” become one of Bellator’s more recognizable fighter after Coker took charge in 2014. He scored some stunning knockouts and even competed for the interim welterweight title once. His UFC stint left much to be desired, although it can be argued that he should have been booked like a title contender.
In Ki MMA, Page, even at nearly 40 years of age, should be a title contender. There are plenty of welterweights around the world, both with and without UFC experience, whom Coker can it against him. The K1-esque ring may even play into his advantage, as he competed extensively in kickboxing before transitioning to MMA.
Speaking of Bellator veterans, here is a no-brainer.
Cris Cyborg was supposed to have retired after defeating Ketlen Vieira at PFL Tampa last month. Before the fight, however, she had hinted that it might not be her last. During the Ki MMA launch, she shut down any rumors of a return to the UFC or PFL – the latter of which merged with Bellator in 2023.
This leaves just one possible path: Coker. The two have had a very good relationship, dating back to when Cyborg competed for Strikeforce. While women’s 145 is devoid of talent, she can still be an attraction fighter, and that is not necessarily bad for an upstart like Ki MMA.
In multiple ways, Coker’s Ki MMA is a throwback to the 2000s – a decade that mane fans consider to be the sport’s best.
The tournament format? Pride and Strikeforce used it. Fights taking place inside a ring? Pride used it, and Rizin, which co-promoted with Bellator during Coker’s tenure, still does for most of its events. In a landscape that increasingly appears homogenized and bland, this may be what diehards want…
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