Twitter reacts to Bjorn Rebney’s Bellator departure, Scott Coker’s potential hiring

The MMA world was hit with some potentially game-changing news this morning when Spike TV announced Bellator MMA Founder, Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney and president and COO Tim Danaher have parted ways with the company, effective immediately.

What the move means for the future of the Viacom-owned MMA organization is unknown at this time, but it only took a few seconds for rumors to circulate about who will step in as Rebney’s replacement.

The leading man for the vacant position appears to be Scott Coker. The former CEO of the now-defunct Strikeforce organization is free of ties to the UFC after his non-compete clause with Zuffa recently came to an end. However, no official announcement regarding Coker has been made at this time.

The immediate response to the breaking news came from a mix of those who expected it, those who were surprised by it, and those who were outright shocked. To see commentary from the MMA community on Rebney’s departure from Bellato, check out these Twitter reactions.

* * * *

Bellator announces departure of executives Bjorn Rebney and Tim Danaher shar.es/PVXnf via @mmajunkie—
  (@MMAjunkie) June 18, 2014

Heard big rumblings all day re: @BellatorMMA. I'm told @cokersf has joined the promotion. Multiple sources say announcement is imminent.—
Josh Gross (@yay_yee) June 18, 2014

"It's with bittersweet emotions that I announce that I am leaving the company I founded." It's official. @BjornRebney has left @BellatorMMA—
Jonathan Snowden (@mmaencyclopedia) June 18, 2014

Regardless of what went on ,it was Fun building this company w You @BjornRebney Good luck in Your future endeavors brother !—
Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) June 18, 2014

I wonder what Alvarez thinks, seeing Bjorn leaving Bellator before him?—
John S. Nash (@heynottheface) June 18, 2014

What, no smiley face or emoji from Dana yet?—
Mark La Monica (@LaMonicaMark) June 18, 2014

I'm gonna miss fighting for @BjornRebney dude always treated me right! Let's see what the future holds.—
Brennan Ward (@SwaggleBerryFin) June 18, 2014

Interesting to see how the MMA landscape changes with Bjorn Rebney leaving Bellator. Don't think he got the credit he deserved.—
Todd Martin (@ToddMartinMMA) June 18, 2014

Best of luck @BjornRebney! Was great working with you!—
Douglas Lima (@PhenomLima) June 18, 2014

Rebney is probably going to be blamed for Bellator's direction over the past year or two. Not sure that was really his vision.—
Dann Stupp (@MMAjunkieDann) June 18, 2014

Bjorn is out. Bellator should be interesting going forward. I'll say this: they do away with tournament format and they'll dig their grave.—
Michael Stets (@Michael_Stets) June 18, 2014

@BjornRebney made @BellatorMMA a great MMA organization to fight for and the last 8 years has shown that . Once again Thank You—
Brian The Law Hall (@brianhallmma) June 18, 2014

Bjorn Rebney will be missed. He had the coolest name of any promoter in the history of the sport.—
Jason (@JasonAmadi) June 18, 2014

@BjornRebney couldn't believe what I seeing this morning. It's was a pleasure working for you boss. Best of luck in whatever you do.—
Paul Bradley (@paulbradley184) June 18, 2014

@BjornRebney are the rumors true,R you leaving bellator?
If so,it was a honor&a blessing working w/U,im sure many will agree.bless U &yours—
justin baesman (@JustinBaesman) June 18, 2014

No word just yet on what happens to the key players within the Bellator organization, but I hear Coker will be bringing in some old friends.—
Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 18, 2014

So is @FakeCokerSF going to make a Twitter comeback? Because that would be great.—
Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) June 18, 2014

The return of Scott Coker! #MMA—
Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) June 18, 2014

Good to have Coker 'back in the mix.' I've long missed the "check back in a couple of weeks" line of answering to media questions.—
Chuck Mindenhall (@ChuckMindenhall) June 18, 2014

If Coker actually does take over Coker+@SpikeTV + Viacom Resources + Cokers 25 years experience + his… instagram.com/p/pY69HeBIPL/—
Mike Kogan (@MikeKogan) June 18, 2014

Viacom/Spike/Bellator bringing Scott Coker on to run things would be the wisest choice they could make. Now lose the Bellator name.—
Pat Miletich (@patmiletich) June 18, 2014

Gonna be sick to be able to work with Coker for @BellatorMMA—
RyanMartinez (@970King) June 18, 2014

@arielhelwani Love me some Scott Coker!—
Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) June 18, 2014

@Rampage4real so now u feel some typa way cuz your dick rider got fired and now u wanna retire!!!?—
King Mo (@KingMoFH) June 18, 2014

@KingMoFH haha u mad cause I took yo number 1spot huh? U can't fight! It's MMA not high school wrestling,u suck Mo,and u are boring. Shut up—
Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) June 18, 2014

Looks like I have a new boss. I'm very excited to see what changes come @cokersf @BellatorMMA mmafighting.com/2014/6/18/5820…—
Saad Awad (@SAADMMA) June 18, 2014

For more on Bellator’s upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.