If Scott Coker has his way, an immediate rematch for the Bellator flyweight championship could happen in the near future.
Friday’s Bellator 278 was held in Honolulu to kick off a doubleheader promotion. Liz Carmouche stopped Juliana Velasquez in the fourth round via TKO. This remarkable comeback came after she had been down on the scorecards going into the championship rounds. While Carmouche was in a dominant position from crucifix on the ground and landing some big elbows, many believe referee Mike Beltran stopped the fight too quickly and that an immediate rematch should be rebooked.
Coker says he would be open to another meeting with his two top flyweights.
“I’m just glad I’m not a judge [or a referee],” Coker told reporters following Bellator 279. He saw it the way he did, so you might ask him that question next time you meet him. For me, it’s not a problem to fight back.
” I think those women were certainly scrapping. So to me, that’s why I won’t mind fighting back .”
Velasquez told MMA Fighting on Saturday that she plans to appeal the loss and “would be surprised” if Carmouche signed the dotted line to meet again after suffering her first pro loss.
Coker had to prepare himself for Saturday’s big event in Honolulu. However, Coker has been receiving multiple calls from the former champion asking for information on how to modify the ruling.
” I’ve received calls from her manager but we have no options. The fight’s over, it’s already done,” Coker said. “We’re going to have conversations with both of them when we get back and we’ll start planning the future for both ladies.”
