Scott Coker says Ki MMA can build a star in just 1 year
Promoter Scott Coker has unveiled Ki MMA, an ambitious new fighting promotion set to launch in 2027, during a New York press conference. Named after the Japanese concept of "ki"—referring to spirit, mind and energy—the organization will distinguish itself by hosting all fights in a ring rather than a cage, a format rarely seen in modern MMA.
Coker plans to build stars through tournament-based competition, with the inaugural event featuring a 32-fighter featherweight Grand Prix divided across four geographic regions: North America, South America, Asia and Europe. Each region will host an eight-fighter sub-tournament, with the four continental champions advancing to a single final night where they will compete in two bouts to crown Ki MMA's first champion.
Coker believes the tournament format can rapidly elevate prospects into recognizable stars. "By the end of the year, we will have a star, and we will have a new champion," he told MMA Junkie, emphasizing that tournaments can accelerate fighter development faster than traditional matchmaking. While he acknowledged the physical toll of fighting twice in one night, Coker framed that intensity as a feature rather than a flaw, suggesting it will identify fighters with true competitive spirit and mental toughness—or as he put it, "that's why you've got to have your ki together."
