Bellator is going down hill since Coker took over imo.

[marksmen]

The tournament format is what made it unique and entertaining. They are losing big names and promoting over the hill fighters as if they are still big stars. They are making terrible title fights, Newton vs Beltran and now Newton vs some guy i've never heard of. Shlemenko just got beat in 35 secs by a guy no one has heard of. All of there champs would get owned in the UFC as we seen with Alverez losing to Cerrone as he was their best talent. Coker is making terrible matches and moves. That whole Bonnar vs Ortiz thing is ridiculous. Thoughts?

 

[bubkusjones]

You mean, since Viacom took over, right? I think it's pretty clear they were never fans of the tournament format, and Bjorn was the only reason they kept it.

 

[Bigj383]

You called the tournament format interesting and unique then say nobody ever heard of Halsey who won a tournament to face Schlemenko. If the tournament failed to make Halsey notable why bother.

Linton Vassell has 3 straight wins in Bellator which is the equivalent of winning a tournament. Really that's all tournament winners do sometimes even less.

So what if all the champs would lose in the UFC. Most fighters lose I the UFC at one point or another. Did you really think Bellator had anywhere close to the depth of the UFC. They have some good fighters. Even a couple that could possibly contend for a title but overall talent is far more shallow.

Some of his moves I like others I don't. I like Champs being more active even if his opponent is unknown. I don't like the masters league fights too much. I think it's a waste of a name but Bellator is desperate for viewers so that is their best option.

 

[BruceLeeOnTRT]

The only thing that will make these MMA orgs grow is luring fighters out of UFC by paying better.

I dont see bellator getting there. They have to share their market with ufc, and I dont think viacom wants to put in that kind of dough.

Now, if ONE FC can keep expanding in mainland China, without any competition from the UFC, I can see them generating enough revenue to the point where they can start luring talent out of the UFC. Askren right now makes more money than a lot of guys in UFC. Should ONE FC keep expanding in the east, I can see them dropping that kind of dough on a lot of guys.

 

[bubkusjones]

If the tournament failed to make Halsey notable why bother.

To be fair, though, that was a short tournament where the Bjorn/Coker changeover happened right in the middle. I don't think it's that far fetched to think that this particular tournament wasn't promoted/handled as well as the early ones. Besides, the tournament format certainly worked for guys like Alvarez, Chandler, Brooks, Joe Warren, Curran and Strauss.

The only thing that will make these MMA orgs grow is luring fighters out of UFC by paying better.

But they can't pay too much or else they'll go the way of Affliction and Strikeforce. Overspent and unable to weather any issues that may come up.

 

[GNP45]

This whole post is just completely incorrect. I'm not even gonna bother trying to disclaim it.

 

[TheBrownRanger]

Well, the thing is, Shlemenko vs Halsey would've happened, Coker or not. Halsey won the MW tournament in the last Rebney-era event (Bellator 122). Only thing you can really blame Coker for is releasing Alvarez, Riggs, and Vegh. But on the bright side, co-promotion with other companies such as One FC, WSOF, and KSW and fun matchmaking is now a possibility with the new regime.

 

[Bigj383]

To be fair, though, that was a short tournament where the Bjorn/Coker changeover happened right in the middle. I don't think it's that far fetched to think that this particular tournament wasn't promoted/handled as well as the early ones. Besides, the tournament format certainly worked for guys like Alvarez, Chandler, Brooks, Joe Warren, Curran and Strauss.



But they can't pay too much or else they'll go the way of Affliction and Strikeforce. Overspent and unable to weather any issues that may come up.

Was it winning the tournament that made them stars or winning the belt. Every guy listed there was or is a champion.

 

[BlkBeltJones]

Dana doesn't mind.

 

[CC27]

They are about ratings and fun fights. Bellator titles arent the world titles and never will be so why pretend they are?

Keep the champs active, they are gonna put on fun fights, exciting fights like Marshall/Melvin and then go the Tito/Bonnar route cause it will get them ratings which is what Spike wants.

They are done being the tournament/mostly pure sport mma org and now will be the SF 2.0.

Some legit fighters, some good fights, some fun fights, some name fights to draw fans in, go to once a month, try to get a million a month by putting two title fights and names like Rampage, Tito. Continue to try and sign some UFC guys.

They tried to sign Kimbo and Batista, they signed Lashley, thats the direction they are all in on. Just enjoy it for what it is.

 

[theincognito]

The only thing that will make these MMA orgs grow is luring fighters out of UFC by paying better.

I dont see bellator getting there. They have to share their market with ufc, and I dont think viacom wants to put in that kind of dough.

Now, if ONE FC can keep expanding in mainland China, without any competition from the UFC, I can see them generating enough revenue to the point where they can start luring talent out of the UFC. Askren right now makes more money than a lot of guys in UFC. Should ONE FC keep expanding in the east, I can see them dropping that kind of dough on a lot of guys.

Truthfully this is the case

 

[molest]

To be fair, though, that was a short tournament where the Bjorn/Coker changeover happened right in the middle. I don't think it's that far fetched to think that this particular tournament wasn't promoted/handled as well as the early ones. Besides, the tournament format certainly worked for guys like Alvarez, Chandler, Brooks, Joe Warren, Curran and Strauss.



But they can't pay too much or else they'll go the way of Affliction and Strikeforce. Overspent and unable to weather any issues that may come up.

They just cant spend dumb money on a guy that doesnt draw like fedor (dumb move after seeing affliciton results), even hiring henderson wasn't smart
The whole hw grand prix was a terrible idea, they were paying big bucks but had no real objective, that mistake arguably killed the promotion.

If they just kept going small promoting diaz, overeem and then rousey they would still be alive today, but if you try to compete with the ufc you die.

Bellator knows this and that's why they are not rushing, they got ufc castoffs that can still draw and rising stars like chandler, their ratings are improving, they are building a fanbase. they can also put on a ppv. Spike is also a better platform than showtime

They are in better shape than strikeforce was, strikeforce showed no signs of being profitable which is why they sold it

 

[DanTheWolfman.com]

I kinda dig BellaForce.....

a few cuts I didnt like, and some cross promotion would be great.
I have always wanted to see Manhoef vs Larkin and hope that can happen one day.

I think Marcin Held, Chandler, Brooks, are great.

 

[Philly253]

Don't blame Coker, though he seems to be good at throwing money around. As long as it doesn't become a dangerous freakshow, we can support it.

 

[Sherdoggy]

All of there champs would get owned in the UFC as we seen with Alverez losing to Cerrone as he was their best talent. Thoughts?

I wonder if ALvarez will regret going to the UFC. Can he make as much money in the UFC as an average fighter as he could have made in Bellator as their champ or #2?

 

[Organic Damage]

I doubt Alvarez is making 14K/14K or whatever the average UFC fighter makes.

He'd probably regret crushing cans and fighting Chandler in Bellator for the rest of his career more than never having fought in the big show.

 

[VolkHan]

@ UFC 178 Alvarez made 100k

 

[ebartlett84]

I miss Bjorn's Bellator more than Strikeforce.

 

[Stan]

Totally agree Bellator has become a fuk'n joke since Coker took over. Rebney must be laughing his a$$ off at the brainless decisions Coker and his team have come up with. Instead of Bellator moving forward to compete against the UFC they have moved down more than a few notches. At this rate we will surely see Bellator fold up and close down completely within the next year or 2.

 

[Heat Vision]

Is not like Comer had a big roster full of big names to work with. I think this season is sort of a rebuilding season to move to their 16 events format in 2015. As soon as the season ends I see some cuts and signings happening and better overall fights. I hope they bring one night tournaments back as a way to build stars.