One of the most persistent rumors in MMA over the past several months has been a sense of dissatisfaction at Viacom with Bjorn Rebney. The rumors have long been that Viacom has wanted to boot Rebney at the end of his contract–believed to have ended at the beginning of June–and replace him with someone like a Scott Coker.
Josh Gross tweeted late last night, “Heard big rumblings all day re: @BellatorMMA. I’m told @cokersf has joined the promotion. Multiple sources say announcement is imminent.”
Ariel Helwani at MMA Fighting is reporting that sources have confirmed the story, but that Rebney is putting up a fight, not planning to cede control of the company he created and then sold majority stake in to Viacom.
There had previously been rumblings that Rebney threatened to take critical production staff with him if given the boot. But, given that Viacom has majority control, it’ll be hard to fight off the inevitable for too long.
Coker’s non-compete with Zuffa, who purchased Coker’s Strikeforce Promotion in 2011, ended in March, making the situation a possibility.
Sources have stated that the announcement could come as early as today, depending on how the Rebney situation plays out.
About the author
