Monster MMA merge -- UFC acquires Strikeforce
Carmichael Dave
CSNCalifornia.com
In a move set to shake the MMA world to its core, Zuffa (UFC parent company) has purchased the San Jose, CA based Strikeforce promotion, multiple sources have confirmed to CSN California.
MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani broke the story.
Strikeforce has been on the scene longer than Zuffa, which owns the UFC brand and recently merged in the WEC stable it purchased years ago. With Scott Coker at the helm, Strikeforce had recently emerged as the only real credible competitor to the UFC, although lagging far behind.
UFC President Dana White has long had a very contentious relationship with Showtime, which televises the Strikeforce events. According to White, co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta will deal with Coker on the Strikeforce day-to-day operations.
Much is still to come on how this will affect the two biggest brands in the sport. For now, White says there will be no fighter crossover, and Strikeforce will finish its contract with Showtime. If the past is any indication, as with the WEC, it is only a matter of time before the Strikeforce stable of fighters is merged into the UFC.
Besides cementing its monopoly on 90% of worldwide MMA, this purchase will no doubt immediately send fans into a frenzy when it comes to potential super matchups that would cross talent pools. Although a distant second to the UFC's reach and pull with the MMA audience, Strikeforce did possess some very attractive assets. Alistair Overeem, Antonio Silva, and former UFC veteran Nick Diaz come to mind. A bout between Strikeforce champion Diaz and UFC champ Georges St. Pierre has long been buzzed about, now it may actually happen.
Of course the big Russian elephant in the room is Fedor Emelianenko, who has been the one prize White has long failed to bring home. After a devastating loss to "Giant" Silva last month, Fedor had announced in the cage that he may have fought his last fight that night. This move may perhaps seal his fate, rather than fight under a Zuffa-owned operation.
Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.
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UFC buys Strikeforce
UFC buys Strikeforce -
03-12-2011, 10:05 PM
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