Scott Coker Unveils Ki MMA, 32-Man World Grand Prix
Scott Coker unveils Ki MMA, a new promotion built around a 32-fighter featherweight World Grand Prix launching in 2027.
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Scott Coker has officially unveiled the name and format of his new mixed martial arts promotion, Ki MMA, which will launch in the first quarter of 2027 with events across North America, Europe, Asia and South America.
Coker and business partner Peter Y. Levin built the promotion around a 32-fighter global tournament called the Ki MMA World Grand Prix. The field is split into four eight-man continental brackets, each run as single elimination, with the four regional winners meeting at a one-night World Grand Prix Final. That closing card features two semifinals and a championship bout, meaning the first Ki MMA champion has to win five fights to claim the belt.
What Weight Class Will Ki MMA's First Tournament Feature?
The inaugural Ki MMA World Grand Prix is a featherweight tournament, pitting 32 fighters from four continents against each other for a single divisional crown. "We're giving fighters across four continents a clear path to becoming our first World Grand Prix champion," Coker said in the announcement. He added that the promotion wants to "build stars while staying true to the discipline, character and respect" that drew him to martial arts originally.
Beyond the tournament bracket, Ki MMA will also run "Super Fights" featuring established fighters, along with additional bouts spread across multiple weight classes. All Ki MMA events will be contested in a ring rather than a cage.
Why Scott Coker's New Promotion Matters
Scott Coker is a well known name in MMA promotion, having previously created Strikeforce and later run Bellator MMA. His track record makes Ki MMA one of the more closely watched startup promotions in recent memory, and the tournament format gives it a clear identity from day one rather than the usual slow build of a new brand.
Levin, Coker's partner in the new venture, framed the launch as a long term play rather than a quick cash-in. "We're building Ki MMA for the long term, with the resources, team, and discipline to grow responsibly," he said.
Betting Angle
It is too early for sportsbooks to post meaningful lines on a tournament that does not launch until the first quarter of 2027 and has not yet named its 32 entrants. For bettors, the format itself is the story worth tracking. A true single-elimination bracket that demands five wins to become champion rewards durability and fast recovery over one-off power, and once names start filling continental brackets, the fighters who can win twice in one night at the World Grand Prix Final should command more respect from oddsmakers than a typical champion who only had to win once. Expect futures markets to take shape only after Ki MMA announces its first fighters and continental groupings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ki MMA?
Ki MMA is a new mixed martial arts promotion unveiled by Scott Coker and Peter Y. Levin, set to launch in the first quarter of 2027 with events across North America, Europe, Asia and South America.
How does the Ki MMA World Grand Prix work?
The Ki MMA World Grand Prix features 32 featherweights split into four eight-man continental single-elimination tournaments, with the four continental champions meeting at a one-night World Grand Prix Final that requires winning two more fights to claim the title.
Has Scott Coker run other MMA promotions before Ki MMA?
Yes, Scott Coker previously created Strikeforce and later ran Bellator MMA before launching Ki MMA.
