Bellator CEO made an audacious remark after thrashing Rizin that the company can defeat UFC champions.

A historic cross-promotional event was recently held by Bellator and Rizin in Saitama, Japan, to wrap up the year 2022. Five fights between athletes from the two promotions in four different weight classes took place at Bellator MMA x Rizin FF.

In a post-event statement, Bellator MMA CEO Scott Coker praised both organisations' expansion. In his news conference following the bout, he said:

“Listen, I thought the fights today were very competitive... It just shows you how much the RIZIN fighters have grown in the last five, six years, I see a big growth spurt. And keep in mind, when you are talking about the Bellator athletes, and I’m not just saying this because it’s a company I run, but, over the last six or seven years, this is the best roster we’ve ever had in the history of the company."

Coker went on to name-drop particular athletes before making the audacious claim that his promotion's roster could defeat UFC competition:

“And if you look at every weight class, we have the best 205-pounder in the world that can compete with anybody. The best 185 pounds in Johnny Eblen, I’m telling you this guy just beat Gegard Mousasi, so he’s another guy. But, if you go all the way up and down our weight classes, not only do we have fighters that can beat the UFC (fighters), we have fighters that can compete, three or four fighters at each weight class that can compete against any company on the planet.