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Bellator chief Scott Coker talks Roy Nelson, UFC-ESPN deal, 50 Cent, Yair Rodriguez, Paul Daley, more

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LONDON – Bellator President Scott Coker held court Wednesday for reporters in advance of Bellator 200, addressing a variety of current MMA topics.

Changes to Friday’s card at The SSE Arena in London led the conversation, with Coker explaining the circumstances around Mirko Cro Cop’s (36-11-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) injury and Roy Nelson’s (23-15 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) official scratch from the Paramount-televised event.

Coker still estimates a crowd of 9,000 will be in attendance for a middleweight title headliner between champ Rafael Carvalho (15-1 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) and Gegard Mousasi (43-6-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA).

Here are a few of the takeaways from the media scrum.

On Nelson’s next move and whether he’ll be paid for his canceled fight:

“Yeah, we’re going to sit down with him and work something out, and we will get him re-booked and get him fighting again soon.”

On Bellator swapping tape-delay for live broadcasts on overseas events:

“We’re still trying to work it through our digital distribution platform, which is our app, and so that’s what we’re trying to get clearance on. That hasn’t been done yet, but I don’t think it’s that far away.”

On the UFC’s new TV rights deal with ESPN:

“I just read that this morning, and hey, good for them. To me, it’s great for everybody. When I started this martial arts fight business in 2006, there was no MMA on TV. Spike TV was really the first one to give MMA a chance, and then FOX affiliates came in, and we landed the CBS/Showtime deal in 2007, 2008. It seems like every network in America has MMA. So this sport has come a long way, and this is just another solid proof that this sport is here to stay, and it’s not going anywhere.”

On Paul Daley’s future with Bellator:

“People are making more of it than it is. Listen, he had a fight with (Jon) Fitch, and he was on the radio saying a lot of things, and this is the time right before they’re going into combat, and he was probably cutting weight. But Paul and I are due to talk Friday or Saturday night. He’s a great fighter. I love Paul Daley. We’ve been working together for many years, and I hope he fights for years to come with Bellator.”

On a long-awaited showdown between Daley and Bellator 200’s Michael Page:

“I haven’t talked to MVP, but it seems like when one fighter wants to do it, then the other fighter doesn’t want to do it. But we’ll work on it. We’re going to be a company that makes the big fights, and that’s a big fight.”

On 50 Cent’s recent flirtations with Bellator MMA and stars Quinton “Ramage” Jackson and Page:

“I think he’s having fun with the ‘Rampage’ thing; I think he’s having fun with the ‘MVP’ thing. He’s having a good time, and anytime 50 wants to be involved, we’re going to say yes.”

On the status of interest in featherweight standout Yair Rodriguez, who was recently released by the UFC:

“I haven’t seen (a release letter), but I was told by CAA that he is an official free agent, and that they got the release letter. I think my guys are still talking about him, but I don’t have an update at this time.”

On fight news for welterweight champ Rory MacDonald:

“You will hear something very soon about Rory MacDonald. I think it’s going to be a good fight – a good event for Rory.”

For more on Bellator 200, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.

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