Scott Coker confirms Bellator in talks with Gable Steveson: 'I think we'd be a great home for him'
UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Bellator 264 took place Friday and promotion president Scott Coker was happy with the action that transpired.
After the fight, Coker discussed a number of topics with reporters in attendance that included subjects beyond Bellator 264. Always a hot topic, the free agent pool was discussed and Coker peeled back the curtain as to whom the promotion is and isn’t interested in.
Among the bunch is Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, who has hinted at a potential move to professional wrestling or mixed martial arts in the future. Coker publicly displayed interest when he interrupted a Twitter conversation between Steveson and Bellator heavyweight Jake Hager on Thursday.
“I can tell you this, that we’ve already been in touch with his management,” Coker said. “I do know that he has a couple years left of school and wants to go back and wrestle. There’s dialogue going on, but he really wants to wrestle right now. If he wants to come to MMA, we’ve love to have him here. Nobody builds athletes from wrestling or ground up like we do. I think we’re the best at it. I think we’d be a great home for him.”
Steveson, 21, won the gold medal in the 125kg weight class of the men’s freestyle wrestling at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. In the days following his medal-clinching performance, Steveson tweeted hand-waiving emojis at both UFC president Scott Coker and WWE CEO Vince McMahon.
For Steveson, his ties extend beyond social media. He recently signed with renowned MMA agent Dave Martin and is an underling of former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.
Bellator 264 took place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena. The main card aired on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.