Scott Coker isn’t interested in signing Ben Askren for one fight

Over the last few weeks, undefeated former Bellator and ONE welterweight titleholder Ben Askren has expressed interest in ending his retirement for a fight with Rory MacDonald in Bellator, or Georges St-Pierre in the UFC.

Chatri Sityodtong, the Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship (where Askren is still technically under contract) seemed willing to work with Bellator to allow Askren to fight Rory MacDonald.

https://twitter.com/YODCHATRI/status/987558102751834113

“I am open to doing a World Champion vs World Champion fight between Ben Askren and Rory MacDonald, “Sityodtong said on Twitter. “I have big respect and deep admiration for both athletes. If the fans want it, let’s make it happen!”

Unfortunately, Bellator President Scott Coker doesn’t seem to share Sityodtong’s interest in making this fight a reality. In his eyes, Askren is only looking for one more big fight. The fighters that interest him, meanwhile, are the ones who are interested in regularly competing.

“Ben, I don’t really think wants to fight,” Coker told the media shortly after Bellator 198 last Saturday night in Chicago, Illinois (h/t MMA Junkie). “I think he wants to fight one more fight and be done with it. That’s what I understand.”

Coker than reiterated that he’s focused on keeping his current welterweight  roster busy, not on signing fighters who just want one bout.

“We’ve got a big fight for [Michael Page] coming up in London,” Coker continued. “We’ve got a big fight for [Jon] Fitch and [Paul] Daley in San Jose on May 12. We’re going to keep these guys busy. I want fighters that are going to be here fighting.”

Ben Askren wore gold in Bellator from 2010 to 2013. He then left the organization, and promptly captured the belt in ONE Championship, where he made three title defenses.

Do you think Scott Coker should make a Rory MacDonald vs. Ben Askren fight in the Bellator cage?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 4/30/2018.