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Editorial

Askren, Coker have confusing exchange on Twitter

There must be some communication breakdown here, as Askren asked what was false?

KJ
Kirik Jenness
November 11, 2018 · 1 min read

Bellator MMA president Scott Coker does not get involved in petty bickering online. Thus it was unusual when he publicly corrected Ben Askren earlier this week.

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It began when Coker appeared on The Fight Guys podcast and mentioned that, prior to the trade with the UFC, he had spoken with ONE Championship about co-promotion, with an eye to securingAskren’s entry into the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix. Askren was interested in a singles fight, but not a contract for the 8-man, and no deal was made. There’s nothing controversial there, but Askren took issue with it when it reached BJPenn.com.

https://twitter.com/Benaskren/status/1061044128090411008

Coker than restated what he said – Askren was not interested in entering the 8-man.

https://twitter.com/ScottCoker/status/1061091792580276224

There must be some communication breakdown here, as Askren asked what was false? What’s false is calling what Coker said a half truth. Coker never characterized Askren as afraid but rather explained, “Ben wanted to fight one or two more times, then he wanted to retire.” That’s not false, or a half-truth.

https://twitter.com/Benaskren/status/1061097304697065477

Coker repeated the facts of the matter.

https://twitter.com/ScottCoker/status/1061100074850181120

Askren continued, again without offering anything concrete.

https://twitter.com/Benaskren/status/1061103369253801986

Coker let it go, presumably because the facts speak for themselves. For confirmation, check with Gerard.

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