Ryan Couture Signs with Bellator, ‘Thrilled to Work with Scott Coker Again’
Ryan
Couture (right) is excited to work with Scott Coker again. | Dave
Mandel/Sherdog.com
After two consecutive wins with regional promotion BattleGrounds MMA, Ryan Couture has signed a contract with Bellator.
The son of Randy Couture becomes the latest addition to the Bellator roster, as it was announced during the Bellator 122 broadcast on Friday night that Couture has signed with the promotion.
Advertisement
Sherdog.com spoke with Couture, as well as his manager Sam Spira, about the change of scenery.
"I'm thrilled to be joining the Bellator and Viacom family and to
have the chance to work with Scott Coker again,” Couture said. “I
have an exciting challenge ahead of me as I try to establish myself
among the best in the lightweight division."
Couture refers to his seven-fight tenure with Strikeforce, where Coker was at the helm. The 31-year-old went 6-1 for the now-defunct company before ultimately signing with the UFC.
For Spira, the move will serve as a fresh start of sorts. “The Natural” had a very public spat with Zuffa following his decision to join forces with Spike TV for the short-lived reality show “Fight Master.” The move upset UFC President Dana White so much that he didn’t allow Randy to corner his son during either of his bouts inside the Octagon.
“Ryan has won his last two fights at Battlegrounds MMA,” Spira said. “We feel he will get a fair shake at Bellator, including who can attend and corner at his fights.”
Couture currently has another fight booked for BattleGrounds MMA 5 on Oct. 3, but Spira said it’s unlikely he competes again for the promotion now that he has signed with Bellator. In addition to the new contract, his manager said that Couture is getting married soon, further decreasing the chance that he will be able to compete on Oct. 3
Related Articles