The Official MMA Thread

[AeroK]

UFC Live is tonight. Pretty stacked card.

[PitbullMike]

Originally Posted by AeroK

UFC Live is tonight. Pretty stacked card.

Here are my picks and predictions

Diego Sanchez vs. Martin Kampmann...Sanchez via decision
C.B. Dollaway vs. Mark Munoz............Munoz via TKO
Alessio Sakara vs. Chris Weidman.......Sakara via TKO
Brian Bowles vs. Damacio Page...........Bowles via submission
Joe Stevenson vs. Danny Castillo........Daddy via submission

Im really pulling for the Legionarius to get this win, He's also another one of my favs..Love his style, Also hopefully the "Nightmare" can pull of a win here as well

[AeroK]

Originally Posted by PitbullMike

Also hopefully the "Nightmare" can pull of a win here as well

Diego's face looked like a nightmare after that fight. Thought it was funny he came out looking pissed as always with La Bamba playing in the background.

[lettucenpico]

Who seen strikeforce last night? Congrats to Dan Henderson!

[AeroK]

Originally Posted by lettucenpico

Who seen strikeforce last night? Congrats to Dan Henderson!

[AeroK]

ZUFFA PURCHASED STRIKEFORCE!!!!!!

http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/03/1...s-strikeforce/

[AeroK]

I am speechless. I am without speech.

Strikeforce is no longer the UFC’s biggest competitor.

In a video interview with Ariel Helwani posted to MMAFighting.com on Saturday morning, UFC President Dana White announced that Zuffa has purchased the San Jose, Calif.-based fight promotion.

“It's literally official right now. We literally just purchased Strikeforce,” said White. “I don't want to disclose any of the details on how the deal was done, but the reality is that we now own Strikeforce.”

White explained the reasons behind the purchase in the interview, stating that expanding Zuffa's talent pool was a necessary step to take as the promotion ventures into more international endeavors.

“As we go out and [continue to expand], we need more fights. Let's face facts. Strikeforce is a brand that fans have come to like and [the fans] enjoy the fights that they're putting on. So it made sense to us,” said White. “Our job is to put on the big fights that fans want to see, and as we continue to travel [abroad], we have to put on the right fights in these other countries.”

While White would not disclose the exact length of the negotiation period, the UFC boss did confirm that the buyout “happened quickly,” when asked if the talks lasted less than six months.

White then revealed that while Strikeforce is now the property of Zuffa, Scott Coker's promotion would not be dissolved. Rather, Strikeforce will continue to operate independently under the supervision of its new parent company.

“Strikeforce is going to continue to run -- business as usual. There are contracts in place, and we honor contracts. These guys pull good ratings on Showtime, and all of those contracts are going to be honored. These guys are going to remain Strikeforce fighters.”

White then elaborated on that concept, asserting that Coker would continue in his role as Strikeforce head, maintaining the promotion's operations and managing the talent. According to White, this means that Coker will have license to re-sign fighters at his discretion, including talents with whom White takes issue, such as Paul Daley and Josh Barnett.

“We've signed a deal with Scott Coker. He's staying on. You've seen me battle with guys over the years, but I’ve never had a bad thing to say about Scott Coker. I’ve known Scott since the K-1 days. Scott is a good guy.”

[Belloche]

Holy crap ! Didn't see that coming. Where do the guys who argue with Dana White go to work now ?

[AeroK]

Originally Posted by Belloche

Holy crap ! Didn't see that coming. Where do the guys who argue with Dana White go to work now ?

White in the interview said that SF would still operate under Coker and all fighters under SF contract would be honored including people like Daley and Barnett. It's up to Coker whether or not to keep them once their contracts expire. Showtime will still have SF for another 2 years at least. SF will still have a women's division and it's business as usual which according to him means SF will still run like the purchase never happened...just a hint of Zuffa here and there...like advertising UFC events on SF and SF events on UFC.
No super fights are planned and UFC fighters aren't going to SF and vice versa according to Dana. The only way they'll end up in SF is if the UFC chooses to cut them or they choose not to renew their contracts. SF then has the option to pick them up and vice versa. That is my understanding of what Dana said. What I find interesting is in the interview he keeps talking about expanding globally and that's one of the reasons of purchasing SF so I wonder if they are maybe pushing it as more of a global brand and UFC as the US/Canada brand...should be very interesting indeed. I just know that I'm totally shocked.

Another thing that's really cool. UFC now owns the SF video library. Hopefully we'll see some SF Blu Ray releases in the future

[Sponge-worthy]

Originally Posted by AeroK

White in the interview said that SF would still operate under Coker and all fighters under SF contract would be honored including people like Daley and Barnett. It's up to Coker whether or not to keep them once their contracts expire. Showtime will still have SF for another 2 years at least. SF will still have a women's division and it's business as usual which according to him means SF will still run like the purchase never happened...just a hint of Zuffa here and there...like advertising UFC events on SF and SF events on UFC.
No super fights are planned and UFC fighters aren't going to SF and vice versa according to Dana. The only way they'll end up in SF is if the UFC chooses to cut them or they choose not to renew their contracts. SF then has the option to pick them up and vice versa. That is my understanding of what Dana said. What I find interesting is in the interview he keeps talking about expanding globally and that's one of the reasons of purchasing SF so I wonder if they are maybe pushing it as more of a global brand and UFC as the US/Canada brand...should be very interesting indeed. I just know that I'm totally shocked.

Another thing that's really cool. UFC now owns the SF video library. Hopefully we'll see some SF Blu Ray releases in the future

I seem to recall some similar language when Zuffa acquired WEC--that it would keep its independence, etc., etc.

Maybe now we'll get some elbow strikes though...

[MyBlu-rayBrotherEd]

Originally Posted by Sponge-worthy

I seem to recall some similar language when Zuffa acquired WEC--that it would keep its independence, etc., etc.

Maybe now we'll get some elbow strikes though...

Strikeforce has contracts with fighters and businesses like Showtime. I think what Dana was saying is that all of the current contracts will be honored. After they expire tho, I would imagine that all bets will be off, and maybe the Strikeforce will be folded into the UFC like WEC was.

[awongus]

Originally Posted by AeroK

No super fights are planned and UFC fighters aren't going to SF and vice versa according to Dana.

I can guaran-friggin-tee u that Dana is going to make the Couture-Fedor fight a reality. Randy has been pining for that fight for YEARS. I believe it's all he's waiting for before he officially retires for good.

As far as the other possibilities, I'm salivating worse than my English bulldog. Lesnar/Overeem (they could bill its as "Roid War I"), Spider/Jacare, GSP/Diaz, so many options, so little time!

EDIT: And how could I forget?! Melendez v. Edgar (or any other 155 lb UFC contender)...OMG!!

[AeroK]

Originally Posted by Sponge-worthy

Maybe now we'll get some elbow strikes though...

wish granted:

While Strikeforce’s cage will remain hexagonal, Fertitta says that the promotion will adopt the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, the rule set currently employed by the UFC and recognized by most state athletic commissions. The major change will come in the form of the allowance of elbow strikes on the ground, previously forbidden under Strikeforce rules.

[AeroK]

Originally Posted by awongus

I can guaran-friggin-tee u that Dana is going to make the Couture-Fedor fight a reality. Randy has been pining for that fight for YEARS. I believe it's all he's waiting for before he officially retires for good.

As far as the other possibilities, I'm salivating worse than my English bulldog. Lesnar/Overeem (they could bill its as "Roid War I"), Spider/Jacare, GSP/Diaz, so many options, so little time!

EDIT: And how could I forget?! Melendez v. Edgar (or any other 155 lb UFC contender)...OMG!!

Maybe the EA MMA cover had a prophetic message...

I'd love to Roger Gracie vs. Demian Maia in MMA.

[Sponge-worthy]

Originally Posted by AeroK

wish granted:

While Strikeforce’s cage will remain hexagonal, Fertitta says that the promotion will adopt the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, the rule set currently employed by the UFC and recognized by most state athletic commissions. The major change will come in the form of the allowance of elbow strikes on the ground, previously forbidden under Strikeforce rules.

I imagine that removal of the ground elbows may have pushed the insurance premiums beyond what Strikeforce was willing/able to pay, previously.

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by awongus

As far as the other possibilities, I'm salivating worse than my English bulldog. Lesnar/Overeem (they could bill its as "Roid War I"), Spider/Jacare, GSP/Diaz, so many options, so little time!

EDIT: And how could I forget?! Melendez v. Edgar (or any other 155 lb UFC contender)...OMG!!

Those would be sweet! Especially Diaz/GSP. I love the way Diaz (Nick, not Nate) fights. I'm pumped for Daley/Diaz on April 9th, plus Melendez/Kawajiri.

[MyBlu-rayBrotherEd]

The UFC is sure hyping up Jon Bones Jones. Did you wee the "In the moment" show on Spike?

[PitbullMike]

Originally Posted by MyBlu-rayBrotherEd

The UFC is sure hyping up Jon Bones Jones. Did you wee the "In the moment" show on Spike?

Id hype him up too since hes going to be the new champ Bones 4 da win 2nd rd tko

[AeroK]

Originally Posted by MyBlu-rayBrotherEd

The UFC is sure hyping up Jon Bones Jones. Did you wee the "In the moment" show on Spike?

Yeah they are banking on him big time. I saw on Countdown 128 he was already signing his autographs with "Champion 2011". I hope Shogun spoils it.

[AeroK]

Poor Shogun...who's next for JJ? Rashad? I heard he was leaving the camp if Jones won.