After a slow few years of hosting major mixed martial arts events in the Buckeye State, it appears as though big-time fights will take place in Ohio throughout 2015.
Both Invicta FC and Bellator MMA are reportedly targeting events in the state next year, and the two events could rejuvenate the MMA landscape that has started to thin out across the state.
The all-female Invicta FC has held nine events thus far, with the first eight taking place in Kansas City, Missouri, before the organization ventured to Davenport, Iowa in November.
On MMA Junkie radio in early December, Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp said she is targeting events in Ohio and Colorado. Further investigation into the matter has revealed that the organization could possibly host an event during the annual Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, which is one of the largest sports festivals in the world.
Arnold weekend has been a popular landing spot for multiple MMA events in the past, including UFC 68 in 2007, UFC 82 in 2008, UFC 96 in 2009, WEC 47 in 2010, and Strikeforce events in both 2011 and 2012. But no major events have been held in Columbus since 2012.
Another organization that could fill that void is Bellator MMA. New Bellator CEO Scott Coker was running Strikeforce when the organization made its two trips to Ohio before being purchased by the UFC.
Coker dispelled rumors that the organization would head to Ohio during Arnold Weekend in 2014 during a recent Twitter response to a fan, but he did say that the organization could make a trip to Ohio in 2016.
.@Awexome1 Not in 2015 but ’16 and beyond, very possible
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) December 11, 2014
There are also other rumors that the organization could still host an event in Ohio in 2015 though, although it would likely be later in the year and likely wouldn’t take place in Columbus.
Bellator has visitied Ohio four times to date, all of which were under the previous regime led by Bjorn Rebney.
Stay tuned to BluegrassMMA.com for more news on Invicta FC, Bellator MMA, and more.