Scott Coker Launched New Promotion Ki MMA
Former Bellator president Scott Coker has secured $60 million to launch a new global fighting promotion.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
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Scott Coker has returned to the combat sports scene with the announcement of Ki MMA. The new promotion has secured $60 million in funding and plans to host its first event in 2027.
Why it matters
The venture marks a significant return for the veteran executive who believes the current mixed martial arts landscape is in a funk. Coker aims to shake up the industry through a new global competition structure.
The promotion is backed by $60 million in capital and will feature a 32-fighter featherweight tournament. These fighters will compete across events held in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America.
The players
Scott Coker
He is a 63-year-old combat sports executive who previously served as the president of Bellator MMA.
PFL
This is a professional mixed martial arts league that acquired the Bellator brand in 2023.
The details
Ki MMA plans to begin signing free agents within the next two to three months to build out its roster. The organization intends to establish a global footprint by hosting events across four continents.
Timeline
PFL acquired the Bellator brand in 2023.
Coker intends to sign free agents in two to three months.
Ki MMA will host its first event in 2027.
Season Trajectory
This move signals a major shift in the global MMA landscape as a veteran executive attempts to challenge the existing market dominance of established leagues. The introduction of a new tournament-based promotion could significantly alter the current talent distribution and free agency market.
The announcement of a 32-fighter tournament creates a new destination for free agents, which may thin out rosters at existing promotions over the coming years. Fans can expect a new competitive schedule spanning North America, Europe, Asia, and South America beginning in 2027.
The takeaway
Coker hopes to revitalize the sport by introducing a fresh global tournament structure. Industry observers will be watching to see how the organization manages its $60 million war chest to attract top-tier talent.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving competitive landscape of professional fighting, visit our Mixed Martial Arts section.
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