Kimbo Slice Vs. Frank Shamrock here we come.

What does this mean for the Strikeforce-NBC relationship?

This makes me happy! :)

*feels all warm inside

…Strikeforce just went from being “a small regional promotion” (Dana’s words) to a big time competitor. Their NBC product is pretty decent, esp given its late timeslot. Good times.

It will good if the fighters can finally get back to fighting.guys like Hands of Steel Scottt Smith NIckDiaz,especially looking forward to seeing Ruthless Robbie Lawler back in action.
I think that a fight against Cung Le would be awesome.that is if he doesn’t continue his acting career.

Defending his LHW title on primetime CBS? NICE!

WOW That is huge. Just HUGE! I wonder how this will impact his working relationship with Dana? This is going to be very interesting.

by Nick Travaglini

That entirely depends on how he runs his business. And to date, he hasn’t made a mockery of MMA, quite the opposite, and therefore probably has little to fear from Dana.

Hopefully this will get some of those sidelined fighters back in the mix ASAP.

by Razreshat

What does this mean? …sounds big but there aren’t much details.

by achengy

Holy hell. The next few days are gonna be pretty interesting.

by Rundownloser

w00t! Finally!

by xFenixKnightx

Dont hold your breath. The fighters are not a lock for Strikeforce. While some will sign with Strikeforce…others are not. Wilson Reis and Eddie Alvarez are headed to Bellator. KJ Noons is opting for boxing most likely. It makes no sense at all for Jake Shields to go to Strikeforce. Lawler may go, but I still picture him in the UFC. Their best hope is for Carano and Cyborg.

I don’t think Strikeforce would’ve done this if they thought Zuffa would mind.

This is good news.

I really like Strikeforce’s product. I think they do well, and I think they could continue to do well as the “regional” promotion they are.

I can only see this as a bad thing because they are going to be upping the stakes to competing on the level of UFC & Affliction. I think it’s more than just how these companies are run, I simply think the market doesn’t allow for 2 major MMA companies in the states. Beyond that, the UFC doesn’t allow for another major MMA company. They counter-programmed Elite XC, they counter-programmed Affliction.

MMA needs to have other promotions, not neccesarily nationwide promotions, but several promotions for up-and-coming fighters, fighters past their prime… promotions that the market will allow and the UFC will allow.

Ideas?

There is none between Strikeforce and NBC.
Currently, Strikeforce pays NBC for the slot.

Strikeforce buying ProElite simply means that negotiations with NBC were not going well at all, since the best thing about purchasing ProElite is their Showtime and CBS contracts. They could still run their NBC show since it is basically a paid infomercial, but I doubt they would need it anymore. Either way, I don’t see it as a big deal.

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2008/12/20/698712/strikeforce-to-acquire-pro

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2008/12/19/697681/cbs-tv-deal-requirement-bu

This will be their splash on Network TV.

This are talking about it right now… on Sherdog radio.

The only shame of this is that it prevents the UFC (or more likely, WEC) from starting their own Women’s MMA division.

While I agree it would have been largely a waste of her drawing power, a WEC division built around Gina Carano, Cristiane Santos, and Tara LaRosa would have been something. There would have been weight issues, but since this is a fantasy, I’m choosing to ignore them at the moment.

Aside from that, however, Strikeforce is going to add some very good talent to it’s roster and, presumably, Kimbo’s drawing power as well. Such that Kimbo still has drawing power after the loss to Petruzzeli. I feel like he still does, for now, but since he hasn’t done anything of note in the US since the loss, you really can’t say for sure.

And on that note, please book Overeem v. Slice for the Strikeforce Heavyweight title immediately.

I know everyone’s first twitch is to assume that Dana would be out to destroy them, but…

SF is nowhere near being a regular ppv promotion. I don’t think Coker would be foolish enough to compete directly with UFC for fighters, more likely taking on ones like Babalu, who need a place to fight (in a no Affliction world).

I actually think that Dana may be alright with this. If a somewhat lower level promotion like SF, does a good job and shows MMA in a good light, without directly impacting UFCs ppv sales, it may actually work in UFCs favor. Could you imagine UFC’s bargaining position with broadcast networks if SF is a hit??

How DREAM and ZombieXC both have big announcements planned for the next couple of days…

on Sherdog Radio

Great news really, I always liked Strikeforce (and EXC before it became the Kimbo show). As long as it means another promotion that uses a cage and gives those poor EXC refugee fighters a way to compete I’m happy.

SI Is Reporting:

ProElite, Inc. and California-based Strikeforce have agreed in principle to an asset purchase, including television contracts with CBS and Showtime, multiple sources have confirmed to SI.com.

Both ProElite CEO Chuck Champion, who has been criticized for his handling of a sale that put the company’s fighters in limbo for four months, and Strikeforce chief Scott Coker denied that any deal is in place. Yet, various sources speaking on the condition of anonymity with intimate knowledge of the negotiations told SI.com that Strikeforce is poised to attain the assets. An official announcement could come by the end of the week.

MMAWeekly Insider:

On Wednesday afternoon, multiple reports surfaced that Strikeforce had agreed in principle to a purchase of Pro Elite assets and an announcement was forthcoming by the end of the week.

Strikeforce executive Mike Afromowitz confirmed to MMAInsider that negotiations were progressing, but the deal was not done.

“That’s incorrect,” he said. “Any reports of a done deal are a complete fantasy.”

Afromowitz said the deal with Pro Elite was far more complex than reports had stated.

“It’s complicated, and that’s why I don’t want to speculate,” he continued. “If anything is done, it will be very technical. It’s not as straightforward as you think.”

If a deal between Strikeforce and Pro Elite comes to fruition, Pro Elite’s television deals with CBS and Showtime, as well as select fighters on their roster, are valuable spoils of the transaction. Though Strikeforce has an existing contract with NBC to air pre-recorded fight specials, a live TV deal has eluded them. A deal with CBS could remedy that issue, or perhaps provide leverage in future negotiations with NBC.

Afromowitz said he would have more information soon, but stressed it was too soon to close the books on the saga.

and Dana hasn’t had his secretary call him back yet with the big “Its ok Scott but we want a %”