Scott Coker Announces $60 Million-Backed Global MMA League Set for 2027

Former Strikeforce founder and Bellator president Scott Coker disclosed plans to launch an unnamed mixed-martial-arts promotion in early 2027. Coker will serve as co-founder and chief executive officer, while Peter Levin of Griffin Gaming Partners will act as co-founder and chairman of the board. The venture is positioned as a “global MMA league” that will prioritize athlete integrity and competition standards.

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Coker previously built Strikeforce from a 2006 MMA debut into a premier organization that cultivated stars such as Daniel Cormier, Ronda Rousey, Luke Rockhold, Miesha Tate and Robbie Lawler before its 2011 sale to the UFC. He later led Bellator from 2014 until its 2023 acquisition by the Professional Fighters League. The announcement arrives as the MMA market exceeds $20 billion worldwide, with an estimated 625 million fans, and follows the UFC’s $7.7 billion broadcast-rights agreement with Paramount that began in 2026.

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Funding of $60 million is led by Creator Sports Capital, with participation from Griffin Gaming Partners. Additional backers include Upper Deck; Steve Kaplan, owner of D.C. United and co-founder of Oaktree Capital; Swimmy Minami, founder of Visional and limited partner of the New York Yankees; skateboarding legend Tony Hawk; and former Fortress Investment Group vice-chairman Dean Dakorias. The advisory board features former TelevisaUnivision CEO and former Viacom CFO Wade Davis, former Sony Pictures Television chairman Steve Mosko, and former Paramount Network president Kevin Kay.

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• Capital secured: $60 million

Scott Coker returns with new MMA promotion and $60M in financial backing

• Global MMA market size: >$20 billion

Scott Coker launching new MMA promotion in 2027 with $60M

• Fan base: >625 million worldwide (primarily male 18-34)

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These figures underscore the financial foundation and audience potential that the new league aims to capture.

Scott Coker announces plans for global MMA league with financing, including Tony Hawk - POST Wrestling

Coker’s release emphasizes a “fighter-first” philosophy, noting an “incredible demand for a fresh, new global brand in MMA” and pledging to restore “the integrity of competition, respect for the athletes and sharing their remarkable journeys.” Levin described Coker as a “generational operator” whose “fighter-first orientation has earned him loyalty and admiration from MMA athletes across generations.” Grubbs of Creator Sports Capital highlighted that the sport has reached “a moment where a generation of world-class talent deserves a clear path to the top.”

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Analysts note that the league will enter a crowded field dominated by the UFC and emerging promoters such as Jake Paul’s MVP MMA and the proposed GFL venture. The presence of multiple well-funded newcomers may fragment viewership and sponsorship, presenting a significant challenge for any new entrant seeking sustainable market share.

Scott Coker launching new MMA promotion in 2027 with $60M

• “I always knew I wanted to come back when the time was right, with the right vision and a carefully curated team. That time is now. There is an incredible demand for a fresh, new global brand in MMA,” — Scott Coker, CEO

Scott Coker Returns To MMA With A Simple Message, “I’m back”

• “There is an incredible demand for a fresh, new global brand in MMA. This new league is about returning to what matters: the integrity of competition, respect for the athletes and sharing their remarkable journeys with the world. We are building something authentic, something that belongs to the athletes and to the fans who live and breathe this sport.” — Scott Coker, CEO

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• “Scott is a generational operator in the world of combat sports,” — Peter Levin, Chairman, Griffin Gaming Partners

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• “He has proven time and again that he can scale a business globally and profitably.” — Peter Levin, Chairman, Griffin Gaming Partners

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• “ “Scott Coker is one of the few operators in combat sports who has built winning franchises at a global scale, and he has done it by putting athletes first.” — Benjamin Grubbs, Co-Founder, Creator Sports Capital

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• “The sport has reached a moment where a generation of world-class talent deserves a clear path to the top, and Scott has the experience, the relationships, and the vision to deliver it.” — Benjamin Grubbs, Co-Founder, Creator Sports Capital

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The league’s official name, broadcast agreements, event format, and signed fighters have not been disclosed. No timeline beyond “early 2027” is provided, leaving uncertainty about the rollout schedule.

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Leadership details are expected in the coming weeks, followed by announcements of the league’s name, fighter roster, competition format, and broadcast partners. These steps will clarify how the venture intends to compete within the rapidly evolving MMA ecosystem.

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