Scott Coker: Bellator MMA Targeting Netherlands for Event in Early 2018

It appears as though Bellator MMA will continue its international expansion in 2018.

In an interview with recently-retired Dutch fighter Marloes Coenen on Spike Netherlands, Bellator MMA President Scott Coker confirmed that the promotion plans on holding an event in the European nation sometime in the not too distant future.

“We had a nice chat [recently] with Spike Netherlands....so I think that we’re gonna come out there,” Coker said. “Maybe something before the first quarter of next year is what we’re thinking about. We’ll do a big fight in the Netherlands somewhere.”

The California-based organization has increased its overseas presence in recent months, holding events in Italy, Ireland, Israel and England. Additionally, Bellator 177 will take place in Budapest on Friday. Bellator is not the first prominent promotion to plant its flag in the Netherlands. The UFC visited the country last may for UFC Fight Night 87 and is expected to return later this year.

“Think about how many great fighters come from the Netherlands,” Coker said. “It’s something that I always felt when I was working for K-1, the Dutch fighters always were dominant.”