SAN JOSE, Calif. (June 2, 2026) – Scott Coker, founder and CEO of the new global mixed martial arts promotion, today announced the addition of six senior executives to his leadership team as the company continues building toward its highly anticipated launch.
The executive team, drawn from Coker’s four decades of experience, brings together respected leaders with deep roots in MMA, global sports, media, marketing, athlete relations and communications.
Joining the promotion are:
- Kevin Kay, Chief Content Officer (Paramount Network, Spike TV)
- Tom Fox, Chief Operating Officer (Gatorade, NBA Properties, Arsenal)
- Rich Chou, Executive Vice President, Athlete Relations (Strikeforce, Bellator MMA)
- Paolo Boccotti, Executive Vice President, European Production & Operations (Fight Code, Bellator MMA)
- Lawrence Stuart, Executive Vice President, Media Rights & Business Development (CMP, Screenz, ICM Partners)
- Chris DeBlasio, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Communications (Showtime Sports)
The appointments follow the promotion’s recently announced launch with $60 million in financing led by Creator Sports Capital, with participation from Griffin Gaming Partners and a group of strategic investors across sport, media, technology and finance. The new league is being built to create a global, athlete-centered MMA promotion rooted in authenticity, competition and respect for the traditions that have shaped the sport from its earliest days.
“We have assembled a team of premium sports leaders who share our values and respect for combat sports,” said Coker. “Tom, Kevin, Rich, Paolo, Lawrence and Chris each bring world-class experience and the industry relationships needed to drive MMA forward, while always honoring its roots, the athletes and the fans who supported this sport from the beginning. Collectively, we see where the sport can go and we also know where it comes from.”
Kay joins as Chief Content Officer, bringing nearly three decades of media leadership and franchise-building experience across Viacom, Nickelodeon, Spike TV, Paramount Network, TV Land and CMT. He helped develop and scale major properties including “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Yellowstone” and “The Ultimate Fighter,” and played a central role in bringing UFC to Spike. In his new role, Kay will help shape the league’s storytelling strategy and bring fans closer to the athletes, their journeys and the communities that forge them.
As COO, Fox brings more than 35 years of experience across brand management, sports marketing and global sports operations. His career includes senior roles at Gatorade, NBA Properties, Nike, Wasserman, Arsenal FC, Aston Villa FC, the San Jose Earthquakes, FaZe Clan and Isos Capital, and he helped open the NBA’s first Asia Pacific offices. His background building sports brands with global reach will help guide the league’s commercial and operational foundation.
Chou joins as EVP, Athlete Relations, bringing more than 20 years of experience in MMA promotion, matchmaking and talent relations. He has held senior roles with Rumble on the Rock, EliteXC, Strikeforce and Bellator MMA, where he helped develop many of the biggest stars in modern MMA, and most recently served as Vice President of North America for MMA Inc. His new role will be central to the league’s competition strategy and its commitment to building authentic relationships with fighters and fight teams.
Boccotti brings more than 30 years of experience in global event promotion, television production and live sports entertainment. He helped lead Bellator MMA’s expansion across Europe from 2018 to 2023 and has produced events worldwide across combat sports, martial arts, sports and entertainment, working with brands including Lamborghini, K-Way, Suzuki and Barilla. He is also credited with developing the Flying Cage, an event production innovation that streamlined the transition from cage to ring in approximately 15 minutes.
Stuart joins as EVP, Media Rights and Business Development, with experience in global content distribution, media rights negotiation and deal structuring across U.S. and international markets. As Head of Business Development at Screenz, he launched live television formats and digital products across seven countries and built partnerships with Fox, Sony, Universal Music Group and Reliance Jio. His work will focus on expanding the league’s reach through media partnerships that reflect MMA’s global scale and the authenticity of its athletes’ stories.
DeBlasio joins as EVP, Global Head of Communications, where he will lead communications strategy and corporate, brand and event messaging. He recently supported Paramount+ for its launch of UFC, and previously spent more than 15 years leading communications for Showtime Sports, where he fueled the rise of Strikeforce from regional promotion to global powerhouse. DeBlasio has led publicity and communications strategy for some of combat sports biggest events including Mayweather vs. McGregor and Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. He will help define the promotion’s voice around credibility, transparency, athlete respect and connection with the MMA community.
At its core, the new promotion is designed to expand opportunities for world-class fighters, strengthen the global MMA community, and deliver a fresh international product for fans while honoring the gyms, coaches, athletes, and local fight cultures that fuel the sport’s growth. Backed by leadership experience across sports, media, athlete development, live events, television, global brand building, and communications, the team will work closely with Coker to shape the promotion’s operating structure, athlete recruitment strategy, media partnerships, and international event model. As the league moves toward launch, its mission remains focused on building a global MMA platform rooted in martial arts tradition, connected to athletes and fans, and committed to creating meaningful opportunities for fighters around the world.
Additional details, including league name, competition structure, athlete participation, media partnerships and event schedule, will be announced soon.
