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{{short description|American sports executive}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Scott Coker
| name = Scott Coker
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|10|3}}<ref>{{cite tweet|user=BellatorMMA|author=Bellator MMA|number=783034370688884736|date=3 October 2016|title=RT to wish #BellatorMMA President @ScottCoker a Happy Birthday!}}</ref>
|birth_date = October 3,
⚫
| birth_place = [[Seoul, South Korea]]
1962<ref>https://twitter.com/BellatorMMA/status/783034370688884736</ref>
⚫
| birth_name =
⚫
| birth_place = [[Seoul, South Korea]]
⚫
| known_for = [[Strikeforce (mixed martial arts)|Strikeforce]], founder and CEO<br />[[Bellator MMA]], president
⚫
| birth_name =
| occupation = Fight Night at the Tech, founder
| residence = [[San Jose, California]], U.S
⚫
| known_for = [[Strikeforce (mixed martial arts)|Strikeforce]] Founder and CEO
| occupation = [[Bellator MMA]] President
| nationality = [[United States|American]]
| nationality = [[United States|American]]
| ethnicity = Korean
}}
}}


'''Scott Coker''' (born October 3, 1962 in Seoul, South Korea) is a South Korean-born American [[Martial Artist]], [[Taekwondo|Taekwondoka]], former movie stuntman<ref>http://www.ikfkickboxing.com/ScottCoker.htm</ref> and combat sports promoter. He is the founder and former CEO of MMA promotion [[Strikeforce]] and the current President of [[Bellator MMA]].
'''Scott Coker''' (born October 3, 1962) is an American [[mixed martial artist]], [[Taekwondo]]in, former movie stuntman,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ikfkickboxing.com/ScottCoker.htm|title = Scott Coker}}</ref> and combat sports promoter. He is the founder and former CEO of MMA promotion [[Strikeforce (mixed martial arts)|Strikeforce]], former president of [[Bellator MMA]], and founder of Fight Night at the Tech.


==Background==
==Background==
Scott Coker was born in [[Seoul]] in 1962<ref>http://www.halfkorean.com/?page_id=10847</ref>. His father, a [[European American]] from the State of Tennessee, had arrived in Korea shortly after the Korean War. He met Scott's mother, a Korean, while she was singing at a [[United Service Organizations|USO]] club. They married in December 1959. When he was approximately 9 years old, Scott and his family relocated to the [[United States]], where they settled in [[San Jose, California|San Jose]], [[California]] in 1973<ref>http://www.halfkorean.com/?page_id=10847</ref>.
Scott Coker was born in [[Seoul]] in 1962.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.halfkorean.com/?page_id=10847|title = Interview with Scott Coker|date = 25 March 2016}}</ref> His father, an American from Tennessee, had arrived in Korea shortly after the Korean War. He met Scott's mother, a Korean, while she was singing at a [[United Service Organizations|USO]] club. They married in December 1959. When he was approximately 9 years old, Scott and his family relocated to the [[United States]], where they settled in [[San Jose, California|San Jose]], [[California]] in 1973.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.halfkorean.com/?page_id=10847|title = Interview with Scott Coker|date = 25 March 2016}}</ref>


Coker is an [[Ernie Reyes Sr.|Ernie Reyes]] protégé and full-contact fight promoter covering [[Kickboxing]], [[K-1]], and [[Mixed martial arts|MMA]]. Coker has obtained a 8th degree black belt in [[Taekwondo]] under Reyes and was an original member of the West Coast Demonstration Team. In 1986, Scott Coker became one of the first directors of [[ISKA]].<ref>{{cite news|title= About ISKA curtain|publisher= www.iska.org.uk|date=|url= http://www.iska.org.uk/about/}}</ref>
Coker is an [[Ernie Reyes Sr.|Ernie Reyes]] protégé and full-contact fight promoter covering [[Kickboxing]], [[K-1]], and [[Mixed martial arts|MMA]]. Coker has obtained an 8th degree black belt in [[Taekwondo]] under Reyes and was an original member of the West Coast Demonstration Team. In 1986, Scott Coker became one of the first directors of [[ISKA]].<ref>{{cite news|title= About ISKA curtain|publisher= www.iska.org.uk|url= http://www.iska.org.uk/about/}}</ref>


==Mixed martial arts==
==Mixed martial arts==


===Strikeforce===
===Strikeforce===
Coker founded Strikeforce in 1985 as a kickboxing organization.<ref>{{cite news|title= Scott Coker the man behind Strikeforce's curtain|publisher= [[MMAjunkie.com]]|date=|url= http://mmajunkie.com/2008/08/scott-coker-the-man-behind-strikeforces-curtain|accessdate=2016-04-29}}</ref>
Coker founded Strikeforce in 1985 as a kickboxing organization.<ref>{{cite news|title= Scott Coker the man behind Strikeforce's curtain|publisher= [[MMAjunkie.com]]|url= http://mmajunkie.com/2008/08/scott-coker-the-man-behind-strikeforces-curtain|accessdate=2016-04-29}}</ref>


The promotion held its first MMA event, ''[[Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie]]'', on March 10, 2006, at the HP Pavilion in [[San Jose, California]].<ref name=sherdogevents>{{cite web|author=Sherdog.com |url=http://sherdog.com/fightfinder.php?organization_id=716 |title=Sherdog Fight Finder |publisher=Sherdog.com |date= |accessdate=2009-02-08}}</ref> Over the next five years, Coker built the brand into the number two mixed martial arts promotion in the United States, partnering with both [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] and [[CBS]] to televise their events.
The promotion held its first MMA event, ''[[Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie]]'', on March 10, 2006, at the HP Pavilion in [[San Jose, California]].<ref name=sherdogevents>{{cite web|author=Sherdog.com |url=http://sherdog.com/fightfinder.php?organization_id=716 |title=Sherdog Fight Finder |publisher=Sherdog.com |accessdate=2009-02-08}}</ref> Over the next five years, Coker built the brand into the number two mixed martial arts promotion in the United States, partnering with both [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] and [[CBS]] to televise their events. Strikeforce co-promoted some events with [[Elite Xtreme Combat]], or EliteXC.


In March 2011, Strikeforce was purchased by [[Zuffa, LLC]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/03/12/zuffa-purchases-strikeforce/|title=Zuffa purchases Strikeforce|publisher=mmafighting.com|date=2011-03-12}}</ref> Coker was retained by the company for a contractual period of three years, ending in April 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/04/with-zuffa-contract-complete-former-strikeforce-boss-plans-to-travel-not-promote|title=With Zuffa contract complete, former Strikeforce boss plans to travel, not promote|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=2014-04-23}}</ref>
In March 2011, Strikeforce was purchased by [[Zuffa, LLC]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/03/12/zuffa-purchases-strikeforce/|title=Zuffa purchases Strikeforce|publisher=mmafighting.com|date=2011-03-12}}</ref> Coker was retained by the company for a contractual period of three years, ending in April 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/04/with-zuffa-contract-complete-former-strikeforce-boss-plans-to-travel-not-promote|title=With Zuffa contract complete, former Strikeforce boss plans to travel, not promote|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=2014-04-23}}</ref>


===Bellator MMA===
===Bellator MMA===
On June 18, 2014, Coker was announced as the new President of Bellator MMA, replacing founder and CEO [[Bjorn Rebney]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/06/former-strikeforce-head-scott-coker-named-bellator-mma-president|title=Former Strikeforce head Scott Coker named Bellator MMA president|publisher=mmajunkie.com|accessdate=2014-06-18|date=2014-06-18}}</ref>
On June 18, 2014, Coker was announced as the new President of [[Bellator MMA]], replacing founder and CEO [[Bjorn Rebney]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/06/former-strikeforce-head-scott-coker-named-bellator-mma-president|title=Former Strikeforce head Scott Coker named Bellator MMA president|publisher=mmajunkie.com|accessdate=2014-06-18|date=2014-06-18}}</ref> Coker was brought in to make
it a less tournament-focused promotion. After the selling of promotion in 2024, Coker did not transition with the ownership and resigned as CEO.

===Fight Night at the Tech===
In March 2024, four months after Bellator MMA was sold to [[Professional Fighters League|PFL]], Coker announced that he and [[Gilbert Melendez]] will debut a new MMA event called Fight Night at the Tech, on May 18, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/03/why-scott-coker-passed-on-pfl-after-bellator-sale-entrepreneur-new-promotion-strikeforce |title=Why Scott Coker passed on PFL after Bellator sale: 'I'm an entrepreneur at heart'|publisher=mmajunkie.com|accessdate=2024-03-15|date=2024-03-15}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
Line 38: Line 40:


==Film career==
==Film career==
Coker has participated in various martial arts movies as a fighter. Titles include [[Dragon Fight]], [[The Last Dragon]], and [[Surf Ninjas]].
Coker has participated in various martial arts movies as a fighter, including ''[[Dragon Fight]]'', ''[[The Last Dragon]]'', and ''[[Surf Ninjas]]''.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.strikeforce.com/ Strikeforce Homepage]
*[http://mmajunkie.com/news/5162/scott-coker-the-man-behind-strikeforces-curtain.mma Short Bio]
*[http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2010/10/19/1760658/scott-coker-fight-promoter-black-belt-martial-artist-and-movie-star#storyjump Short Bio]
*[http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2010/10/19/1760658/scott-coker-fight-promoter-black-belt-martial-artist-and-movie-star#storyjump Short Bio]
*[http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1479906-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-pepsi-to-ufcs-coke-a-strikeforce-oral-history Short Bio]
*[http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1479906-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-pepsi-to-ufcs-coke-a-strikeforce-oral-history Short Bio]
*{{IMDb name|0170101}}
*{{IMDb name|0170101}}
*[http://www.ikfkickboxing.com/ScottCoker.htm Scott Coker & Strikeforce]
*[http://www.ikfkickboxing.com/ScottCoker.htm Scott Coker & Strikeforce]

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Coker, Scott}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Coker, Scott}}
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:American male taekwondo practitioners]]
[[Category:American male taekwondo practitioners]]
[[Category:American chief executives]]
[[Category:American people of Korean descent]]
[[Category:Strikeforce (mixed martial arts)]]
[[Category:Bellator MMA]]
[[Category:Kickboxing executives]]
[[Category:Kickboxing executives]]
[[Category:Mixed martial arts executives]]
[[Category:Mixed martial arts executives]]
[[Category:American people of Korean descent]]
[[Category:Strikeforce (mixed martial arts)]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]


{{US-CEO-stub}}
{{US-martialart-bio-stub}}

Latest revision as of 21:54, 23 November 2024

Scott Coker
Born (1962-10-03) October 3, 1962 (age 62)[1]
Seoul, South Korea
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Fight Night at the Tech, founder
Known forStrikeforce, founder and CEO
Bellator MMA, president

Scott Coker (born October 3, 1962) is an American mixed martial artist, Taekwondoin, former movie stuntman,[2] and combat sports promoter. He is the founder and former CEO of MMA promotion Strikeforce, former president of Bellator MMA, and founder of Fight Night at the Tech.

Background

[edit]

Scott Coker was born in Seoul in 1962.[3] His father, an American from Tennessee, had arrived in Korea shortly after the Korean War. He met Scott's mother, a Korean, while she was singing at a USO club. They married in December 1959. When he was approximately 9 years old, Scott and his family relocated to the United States, where they settled in San Jose, California in 1973.[4]

Coker is an Ernie Reyes protégé and full-contact fight promoter covering Kickboxing, K-1, and MMA. Coker has obtained an 8th degree black belt in Taekwondo under Reyes and was an original member of the West Coast Demonstration Team. In 1986, Scott Coker became one of the first directors of ISKA.[5]

Mixed martial arts

[edit]

Strikeforce

[edit]

Coker founded Strikeforce in 1985 as a kickboxing organization.[6]

The promotion held its first MMA event, Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie, on March 10, 2006, at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.[7] Over the next five years, Coker built the brand into the number two mixed martial arts promotion in the United States, partnering with both Showtime and CBS to televise their events. Strikeforce co-promoted some events with Elite Xtreme Combat, or EliteXC.

In March 2011, Strikeforce was purchased by Zuffa, LLC.[8] Coker was retained by the company for a contractual period of three years, ending in April 2014.[9]

Bellator MMA

[edit]

On June 18, 2014, Coker was announced as the new President of Bellator MMA, replacing founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney.[10] Coker was brought in to make it a less tournament-focused promotion. After the selling of promotion in 2024, Coker did not transition with the ownership and resigned as CEO.

Fight Night at the Tech

[edit]

In March 2024, four months after Bellator MMA was sold to PFL, Coker announced that he and Gilbert Melendez will debut a new MMA event called Fight Night at the Tech, on May 18, 2024.[11]

Awards

[edit]
  • Combat Press
    • 2015 Executive of the Year[12]

Film career

[edit]

Coker has participated in various martial arts movies as a fighter, including Dragon Fight, The Last Dragon, and Surf Ninjas.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Bellator MMA [@BellatorMMA] (3 October 2016). "RT to wish #BellatorMMA President @ScottCoker a Happy Birthday!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ "Scott Coker".
  3. ^ "Interview with Scott Coker". 25 March 2016.
  4. ^ "Interview with Scott Coker". 25 March 2016.
  5. ^ "About ISKA curtain". www.iska.org.uk.
  6. ^ "Scott Coker the man behind Strikeforce's curtain". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
  7. ^ Sherdog.com. "Sherdog Fight Finder". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  8. ^ "Zuffa purchases Strikeforce". mmafighting.com. 2011-03-12.
  9. ^ "With Zuffa contract complete, former Strikeforce boss plans to travel, not promote". mmajunkie.com. 2014-04-23.
  10. ^ "Former Strikeforce head Scott Coker named Bellator MMA president". mmajunkie.com. 2014-06-18. Retrieved 2014-06-18.
  11. ^ "Why Scott Coker passed on PFL after Bellator sale: 'I'm an entrepreneur at heart'". mmajunkie.com. 2024-03-15. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
  12. ^ Justyn Likes. "Combat Press 2015 MMA Awards: Executive of the Year – Bellator MMA President Scott Coker". Combat Press. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
[edit]
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