Strikeforce founder Scott Coker has been named president of Bellator MMA, SpikeTV officials announced on Wednesday.
Coker replaces Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney as well as promotion president/COO Tim Danaher. The change is effective immediately.
"We are excited to have Scott Coker lead us in a new direction as we evolve the league format from a tournament-based organization to a more traditional model with big fights," stated Spike TV President Kevin Kay.
With Rebney leading the way, Bellator made its promotional debut in April 2009. The promotion, using a tournament-style format, first aired its bouts on ESPN DePortes. It later aired on Fox Sports Net, then MTV2 before partnering with Spike TV, its current television home.
"It is with bittersweet emotions that I announce that I am leaving the company I founded," Rebney said in a press release. "I have great pride in having turned my vision into reality, a thriving business with television distribution to over 140 countries around the world, a partnership with one of the world's largest entertainment giants and wide array of sponsors, partners and strategic allies all over the globe. This has been a wonderful eight plus years of creation, development and success.
"I will miss the courageous, strong and dedicated fighters I have had the pleasure of promoting, and equally, I will miss the incredibly hard working, remarkable team that has become a family for me over the years.
"Viacom and Tim and I differed in our views of the right strategic direction for Bellator, but Tim and I both wish them well."
Under Coker's direction, Strikeforce showcased some of today's best mixed martial artists. The promotion was purchased by Zuffa LLC, which owns UFC, in March 2011. Strikeforce promoted its final show on Jan. 1, 2013.
Women's bantamweight titleholder Ronda Rousey, heavyweight-turned-light-heavyweightlight contender Daniel Cormier and lightweight contender Gilbert Melendez are among several current UFC participants who made their mark under the Strikeforce banner.
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