↵“Basically, we told the guys (on the April card) to start training because this is the fight date,” Coker said. “We told them at least three weeks ago that that was the case. They knew they were going to fight, and they started training. It was just a matter of time. Jake vs. ‘Hendo,’ we told Jake in Janaury that that was the fight that was going to happen. Henderson knew that was the fight. So they’ve already been training and looking forward to the opportunity.
“With (Shinya) Aoki, it just took a long time where I actually got the signed contract back, and then I knew it was done. They held a press conference in Japan to say Aoki is fighting for DREAM, and he’s coming to Strikeforce to represent Japan and compete against the best fighters here, and he would like to bring home the belt against Gilbert Melendez. That took some time, but we told Gilbert probably five weeks ago, ‘Listen, you’re going to be fighting, and this is most likely the guy. When we get it greenlit 100 percent, we’ll let you know, but start training, and be ready.”
Scott Coker Clears The Air About Late Fight Announcements
↵Far too many MMA fans think that the knowledge they have is equal to the knowledge that promotions and fighters have. All fans of the sport would do well to remember that much of the time when information is “leaked” it is leaked at that time intentionally and with reason. Just because you hear a fight announced today doesn’t mean the fighters haven’t known for weeks.
↵Now, there is something to be said for Strikeforce handcuffing their promotional efforts by not being able to promote fights that haven’t been announced, but that’s a subject for another time.
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