Pro Elite Sale to Strikeforce Closes
by Michael Rome on Feb 5, 2009 5:59 PM EST
in MMA News
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Yesterday we reported that ProElite was sold or nearly sold. Today, MMA Weekly's insider blog got it confirmed from Scott Coker himself that the deal is closed:
MMAInsider has just learned from Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker that the deal to purchase Pro Elite assets has closed.
Great news for fans, who will be treated to a number of shows a year for free. Even better news for fighters, who can finally pursue their careers free of this contractual paralysis.
In so many ways, this is what MMA fans have been waiting for. A distinct number two league run by someone who knows what he's doing and isn't going to disgrace the sport. Color me excited.
There's no guarantee that Coker's success on a small level will translate to a major level, but it's a start.
And here's the full press release:
LOS ANGELES, CA. — In a transaction signaling the dawn of a new era in the world’s fastest growing sport, world championship mixed martial arts (MMA) organization Strikeforce®, has acquired certain fighter contracts from ProElite, Inc, the parent company of former Strikeforce ® co-promoter, Elite Xtreme Combat (EliteXC).
Strikeforce® also acquired other specific assets of ProElite, including a library of EliteXC events, which were distributed live on either CBS or Showtime Networks.
“This is a tremendous development that will bolster the Strikeforce® roster and allow us to produce even more competitive matchups between top fighters,” said Scott Coker, Founder and CEO of Strikeforce®. “Some of these athletes have been on the sidelines for a while now and are eagerly waiting to return to competition. We look forward to providing them with the opportunity to do so in the next few months.”Strikeforce® and EliteXC joined forces to deliver the first live SHOWTIME PPV® MMA event, “Shamrock vs. Baroni,” on June 22, 2007. In the headlining contest, former UFC middleweight champion and MMA legend Frank Shamrock submitted knockout artist Phil “The New York Badass” Baroni in the second round, where upon Shamrock became the first Strikeforce® World Middleweight Champion.
On March 29, 2008, the two promotions collaborated once more to deliver a live telecast on SHOWTIME® featuring one of the sport’s most anticipated showdowns – Shamrock versus undefeated world kickboxing champion Cung Le. In a battle that has since been proclaimed “Fight Of The Year” by critics, Le seized the Strikeforce® middleweight crown by pouring on a relentless offensive and fending off Shamrock’s counter attacks before breaking the defending champion’s arm with a hard roundhouse kick. Shamrock retired from the bout after the third round of a five round match.
A martial arts promoter for over 23 years, Coker has gained widespread acclaim among industry colleagues and the media, including Rolling Stone magazine, Yahoo! Sports, and The San Jose Mercury News. Coker elevated his 14-year-old Strikeforce® organization to become a major player in the World’s fastest growing sport. Strikeforce’s® inaugural MMA event hosted a capacity crowd of 18,265 at San Jose’s HP Pavilion on March 10, 2006. The live gate figure also broke the then all-time record for attendance at an MMA event held in North America.
EliteXC burst onto the MMA scene with “Destiny,” the first live, SHOWTIME®-televised MMA fight card in history, on February 10, 2007. Held at Southaven Mississippi’s DeSoto Civic Center, the main event pitted Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert, Renzo Gracie.
The promotion made history again by bringing, for the first time, a live MMA event to the CBS Television Network on May 31, 2008.
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It is now believed that with the agreement to acquire assets now completed, Strikeforce could begin airing live shows on CBS within the next several months. Sources have also indicated that CBS is enthusiastic about the prospect of working with Strikeforce and encouraged ProElite to finalize a deal with the promotion.
Another asset that has reportedly been on the table are the 80-plus fighter contracts that ProElite has in its possession. Despite the fact that it is uncertain whether those contracts are truly transferable it’s still possible that a large group of fighters that competed for EliteXC could be featured on Strikeforce shows. Multiple agents and managers have informed us that they would be eager to encourage their clients to enter into new agreements with Strikeforce that would assuage any legal concerns of transferability.
— fiveouncesofpain.com/2009/02/05/deal-by-strikeforce-to-acquire-proelites-assets-now-complete/
From Meltzer:
Strikeforce promotions of San Jose officially signed a deal to buy some of fighter contracts from the now-defunct Elite XC promotion, and in conjunction with that deal, negotiated new deals with both CBS and Showtime.
Terms were not released by Scott Coker, who confirmed the deals having been completed at about Noon Pacific time. Sources within the MMA industry in recent days had expected the deal as being imminent.
The first show, of the new deal which will air live on April 11 of Showtime, from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, and will be headlined by Frank Shamrock. No opponent has been finalized. Also on the show will be Scott Smith vs. Benji Radach as well as Josh Thomson appearing.
The contracts of all the key Elite XC fighers, including Kimbo Slice, Gina Carano, Robbie Lawler, Jake Shields and Nick Diaz, have come along with the deal.
In discussions with key insiders, they were hoping for Coker to wind up with the promotion, and threatened lawsuits against Elite XC to get talent released were averted over the last week as key figures were assured the deal was about to be completed.
The television contract calls for 12 events per year on Showtime, with both major arena shows with big names, and smaller shows that will be held in smaller arenas or Indian reservations. Strikeforce, which has run primarily out of the HP Pavilion, but has also run events in Seattle, Denver, Fresno and at the Playboy Mansion, will now run as a national promotion and with the CBS contract, will immediately be the No. 2 MMA promotion in the country behind industry leader UFC.
The CBS deal is undisclosed but it is at this point believed to be for quarterly shows.
The promotion will take the name Strikeforce, and will continue to run late night taped programming on NBC. An announcement is expected next week regarding the championship situation, as Strikeforce and Elite XC each have championships.
The plans at this point are to build up talent for this year on television and create compelling matches for PPV, but there are no plans to do PPV over the short-term.
by The Bronzeville Bully on Feb 5, 2009 4:01 PM EST reply actions
Fixed formatting.
Strikeforce promotions of San Jose officially signed a deal to buy some of fighter contracts from the now-defunct Elite XC promotion, and in conjunction with that deal, negotiated new deals with both CBS and Showtime.
Terms were not released by Scott Coker, who confirmed the deals having been completed at about Noon Pacific time. Sources within the MMA industry in recent days had expected the deal as being imminent.
The first show, of the new deal which will air live on April 11 of Showtime, from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, and will be headlined by Frank Shamrock. No opponent has been finalized. Also on the show will be Scott Smith vs. Benji Radach as well as Josh Thomson appearing.
The contracts of all the key Elite XC fighers, including Kimbo Slice, Gina Carano, Robbie Lawler, Jake Shields and Nick Diaz, have come along with the deal.
In discussions with key insiders, they were hoping for Coker to wind up with the promotion, and threatened lawsuits against Elite XC to get talent released were averted over the last week as key figures were assured the deal was about to be completed.
The television contract calls for 12 events per year on Showtime, with both major arena shows with big names, and smaller shows that will be held in smaller arenas or Indian reservations. Strikeforce, which has run primarily out of the HP Pavilion, but has also run events in Seattle, Denver, Fresno and at the Playboy Mansion, will now run as a national promotion and with the CBS contract, will immediately be the No. 2 MMA promotion in the country behind industry leader UFC.
The CBS deal is undisclosed but it is at this point believed to be for quarterly shows.
The promotion will take the name Strikeforce, and will continue to run late night taped programming on NBC. An announcement is expected next week regarding the championship situation, as Strikeforce and Elite XC each have championships.
The plans at this point are to build up talent for this year on television and create compelling matches for PPV, but there are no plans to do PPV over the short-term.
If Affliction wants TV time, don’t give it to them for free.
by The Bronzeville Bully on Feb 5, 2009 4:05 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe so, but Scott Coker purchase the assets and should focus only on his promotion, don’t let Affliction leech off your hardwork
by The Bronzeville Bully on Feb 5, 2009 4:43 PM EST up reply actions
Considering Pro Elite gave advertising revenue up
in exchange for nearly a million dollars worth of salary for a fight… I don’t think that was free
Gimme 1 Round!
I cant wait for the Sho/EliteXC M1 Global Affliction Strikeforce championship on CBS brought to you by golden boy
Uh, what do you mean Strikeforce works with WAMMA? Not that I’m disagreeing that they would work with WAMMA, but I’ve never seen any indication at all of any work taking place. They haven’t had any fighters ranked in the top 5 prior to now anyway.
I hope they don’t work with Affliction. I think the way Affliction treats MMA would badly damage MMA in the long run if it were a success. Just an opinion mind you.
by Michaelthebox on Feb 5, 2009 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
I’ll take that with an enormous grain of salt. Not much work at all to say “yeah, we’ll work with you” then put the name and a little info about the promotion on there.
by Michaelthebox on Feb 5, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions
I don't have the links...
readily available but yes…unfortunately Strikeforce has been conned into working with them.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 5, 2009 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
WAMMA says Adrenaline MMA is working with them….how much of that is a big deal? They also claimed they are working with DREAM, but where was the presentation of the belt on their show, or even the mention of WAMMA. Scott Coker, for all us MMA fans, please don’t work with them, they are leechers.
by The Bronzeville Bully on Feb 5, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions
The..
“DREAM Thing” was not the same as Adrenaline and ProElite. They have attended the Adrenaline events and obviously with Pat fighting for Adrenaline there is a “tie” there. Adrenaline isn’t putting on “world title worthy fights” though so that relationship isn’t as visible. The DREAM thing seemed like they were desperate to get another champ crowned in the only division where it was even remotely possible.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 5, 2009 5:20 PM EST up reply actions
Shoot.
Does this mean no Shields in the UFC? Maybe I’m greedy, but he’s the last guy needed at WW in the UFC at this time to ensure all the best matchups at that weight.
Looks like it. Who the hell is he gonna fight?
by Michaelthebox on Feb 5, 2009 4:04 PM EST up reply actions
Well, I mean, Strikeforce has a Heavyweight division comprised of Alistair Overeem and Paul Buentello, so they can certainly put together some manner of Welterweight division with Jake Shields and Nick Diaz.
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard
I’m sure they can find opponents for him, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be anywhere near the level of the guys he should be fighting. Since he won’t fight Diaz and he can’t fight Daley again, who is left?
Maybe a fight with Hieron if they can get him from Affliction, but the options really aren’t out there.
by Michaelthebox on Feb 5, 2009 4:10 PM EST up reply actions
I like Hieron but I am not sure he is on Shields level. I believe if he could avoid the ground all together with his wrestling background and turn it into a standup war, where that is shield’s weakness.
by The Bronzeville Bully on Feb 5, 2009 5:08 PM EST up reply actions
From Sherdog:
In addition, Strikeforce has also acquired "some" of the reported 100-plus fighter contracts that were left in limbo as Pro Elite attempted to salvage its debt.
EliteXC’s marquee fighters, like Carano, Ferguson and former EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler among others, are being approached by Strikeforce to re-negotiate contracts with Pro Elite that have been deemed non-transferrable without time-consuming litigation.
Many are expected to want more lucrative deals, especially in light of the unintended layoffs that have occurred with Pro Elite’s inactivity.
http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/strikeforce-lands-showtime-deal-16085
Strikeforce didn’t pick up everyone and they will have to resign them anyway so this doesn’t lock in any fighters to a future in Stikeforce.
Happy Happy
JOY JOY!!!!
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
I knew
there was a reason I never got around to calling and canceling Showtime. WIN!
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on Feb 5, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions
I’m going to wait until I hear what Dana has to say. Basically, if he’s ok with it, it will live, and if he’s not, it will die.
Damn, beat me too it! :) Strikeforce has always known their role (for lack of better phrase). I wonder if this is a game changer, in terms of what Zuffa will think, because of the connection with CBS now. If CBS starts promoting their fight nights again with Strikeforce attached, it may mean trouble. Or, to look at is positively, more quality MMA. Because Strikeforce puts on a quality product, and so does the UFC, but it may ramp up both their games, and that is an exciting thought.
Dana has, in the past, pointed out that he’s never spoken a word of ill against Strikeforce because, as he puts it, they are in the business for the right reasons.
I understand what you’re saying, though. They are taking a piece, however small it may actually be, from the UFC’s pie. Maybe he changes his tune if he perceives Strikeforce as a threat. Though, even with Showtime and CBS, I don’t think Dana can see Strikeforce as a legitimate threat at this point.
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard
Now that Strikeforce employs Kimbo Slice...
Dana might have an easy way to speak ill of Strikeforce now.
Me neither
My view is he’ll be thrilled, because if they do any kind of ratings he can go to every other network and say ‘imagine OUR product on YOUR network.’
by Derek Suboticki on Feb 5, 2009 5:19 PM EST up reply actions
Constructive point, smoog
Name the organizations that have challenged White and are still alive.
by Derek Suboticki on Feb 5, 2009 9:24 PM EST up reply actions
More like Overeem/Rothwell
Then when Overeem wins he can go to the UFC hopefully.
Well..
I hope they can survive for a while. I think they can though because there is a lot to be said for the fact that they love the sport of MMA and understand it better than some guys getting in on the sport because it’s hot.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 5, 2009 4:33 PM EST reply actions
WTF the contracts transfer?
god damnit
I don’t want to see shields and lawler in fucking strikeforce.
blah
i don’t have show time. this deal means nothing to me.
They won't be there forever
Whenever the contracts of Jake Shield, Robbie Lawler, Josh Thomson, Gina Carano, etc. run out, Zuffa will be waiting to make an offer for them. Although that could be a while from now. At any rate, if Zuffa is forced to raise its pay-scale to grab Strikeforce’s top talent, that would be like a win-win situation.
Afflction/Strikeforce Merger Inevetiable
Merger might be the wrong word but both these promotions need each other’s fighters to put on compelling match ups to stay in business. I don’t know how Strikeforce is going to put on 16 events a year with that current roster.
its not invevitable
but it would probably be a good move.
Why would Strikeforce need Affliction’s overpriced roster of fighters with limited drawing power? Affliction needs what Strikeforce has as far as tv exposure a lot more than Strikeforce needs any of Affliction’s so called “stars” and the money they cost. Heck picking up Tito Ortiz as a free agent would probably draw more eyeballs than the entire Affliction Heavyweight roster.
Fedor cost much more than the sum total cost of the average Strikeforce show but he’s not the draw that Frank Shamrock is for Strikeforce. Arlovski signed with Golden Boy to pursue boxing, it wouldn’t surpise me if we don’t see him for a while, he is also costly. Josh Barnett is more affordable and fan friendly but he still isn’t a draw worth his Affliction pay currently, he only cost the entire roster cost of an average Strikeforce show(the disclosed fighter payroll for Shamrock vs Le was $667,850 and that was a expensive event for them). You named three guys that represent 4 million in fighter pay but all three of them combined would be put to shame as fan draws compared to booking Frank Shamrock vs Tito Ortiz in San Jose for a fraction of that and you put that on CBS and you may blow the roof off the industry.
Affliction has a top heavy ppv aimed fighter roster, Strikeforce is famous for putting on shows that actually make money and have no immediate plans to do PPV. You don’t book 3 million dollars worth of fighters for a tv show and being as the contracts aren’t exclusive for the lower guys Strikeforce can put them to work on their own terms without having anything to do with Affliction. Not every one of those 16 events(which was the max not a guaranteed number) are going to be big events and ShoXC level shows don’t need anything that Affliction has to offer anyway. Strikeforce did 8 events in 2008 and EliteXC did 12 under a similar stucture and would of done more if they hadn’t of went out of business in October so it’s quite possible to do this with that roster.
Hoorah, another frigging channel to pay for just because it has MMA.
And Strikeforce will do just fine with this. They are a well established promotion with a solid fan base. EliteXC just bought a bunch of leagues and tried to hit the majors on the back of Kimbo Slice. Affliction was a bunch of fashion designers who decided to blow 4 million a show to try to force their way into the big leagues.
Strikeforce did it the right way and this is a natural evolution for them. If they don’t make it no one will.
And remember they are picking up all the lil’ promotions that XC had. I don’t think 16 events will be a stretch for them, especially if they spread them out and keep the ticket prices reasonable.
Shields is the one crewed by all this. There are only 2 or 3 other welterweights of note not in the UFC. They are: Nick Thompson, Paul Daley, and Jay Hieron.
He has beaten Thompson and Daley. Hieron is possible, but he is with Affliction.
He could fight some at middleweight. Perhaps Lawler. But that is stupid. Lawler and Shields may fight this and go to the UFC.
Put Kimbo
On the undercards, Coker! Until he gets some real skills.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
Yeah...
cause that’s a smart business decision…
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 5, 2009 4:48 PM EST up reply actions
I mean...
if you’re going to pay the guy to fight…put him on the main card where win or lose you’re getting a bump off his name value. He’s a proven draw and I doubt that the Petruzelli loss really dented that too much, if at all.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 5, 2009 4:49 PM EST up reply actions
Honestly I think Petruzelli pretty much shattered the false hype surrounding Kimbo. There were mainstream sportswriters like Tony Kornheiser from the Washington Post who knew jack shit about MMA who were singing this guy’s praises, who have shut up now. I still think people will pay to see Kimbo though (for now), so put him on the main card, just don’t put him in the main-event. Or the semi-main-event.
I'd put him...
second to last. If you put him on too early people will tune out. I wouldn’t announce where on the card he is honestly and put him toward the back end. That way people keep tuned in and see enough of the show to (hopefully) get hooked. We’ll see though…
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 5, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions
Is Gus Johnson still a go?
“ROCKY IS HEREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
lmao!
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on Feb 5, 2009 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
I think theres a real issue with the legitimacy issue. Strikeforce doesn’t need legitimacy, but they also need to avoid illegitimacy. Kimbo has a real reek of illegitimacy around him now, and that could taint the rest of the promotion.
by Michaelthebox on Feb 5, 2009 4:56 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah I know they wont do it, Im just BS’ing. Put him against B Rogers. :) Not a main event though.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on Feb 5, 2009 4:53 PM EST up reply actions
LOL
Where are all the people that said Strikeforce wouldn’t be a direct competitor to Zuffa after this purchase? I told you guys it was in their contract to do about 12-16 shows and most fighters would be transferred over.
It was inevitable.
Dude, Strikeforce is know where near a competitor to UFC. UFC is miles ahead…
by The Bronzeville Bully on Feb 5, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions
they are only going to see them as the MMA version of the CFL.
by The Bronzeville Bully on Feb 5, 2009 5:27 PM EST up reply actions
If they stay regional – the CFL’s actually pretty damn profitable.
If they try to go national, they’ll be more like the XFL – dead within a year.
by Derek Suboticki on Feb 5, 2009 5:39 PM EST up reply actions
i didn’t say were not, that’s what I see from Strikeforce
by The Bronzeville Bully on Feb 5, 2009 6:07 PM EST up reply actions
I get what you're saying...
they’re making a play to be a competitor rather than just be content to sit around and say “well…this is as good as it’s going to get for us. 3 AM on NBC and being the little brother that the UFC pats on the head every now and then and says "good boy…now go be quiet in your own room”
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 5, 2009 5:22 PM EST up reply actions
Exactly
They are also now in a position to do it.
Working with KOTC for the ShoXC shows is excellent as well.
We don’t know if that’s the direction they’re trying to take – but if it is, they will fail.
by Derek Suboticki on Feb 5, 2009 5:40 PM EST up reply actions
They might be trying to do what ProElite said it would/should have done – ie, focus on promoting regional shows in the hope of breeding talent for Strikeforce and, eventually, the UFC.
Do you really think Coker didn’t tell Dana he was doing this?
by Derek Suboticki on Feb 5, 2009 5:43 PM EST up reply actions
I’m going to take that as a nonanswer to the question, because it simply strains credulity to think Strikeforce would’ve gone under Dana’s nose after all these years.
by Derek Suboticki on Feb 5, 2009 5:47 PM EST up reply actions
What, do they work for Dana now? Or do you just see Dana as the capo di tutti Capi of MMA? It’s not actually the mob, you know, no matter how much Dana acts like it is.
No, but what Dana does is systematically kill organizations that directly challenge him. And given his close relationship with Coker, I refuse to believe SF did this without Dana’s approval until Dana says they did.
by Derek Suboticki on Feb 5, 2009 6:02 PM EST up reply actions
The old one was, due to Dana’s favorable comments and fans all around.
One of their main events was Sapp vs Nortje.
I said if they go ahead with this purchase, they would be elevated to the a major competitor.
It’s more that he’s single-mindedly opposed to them having all the best talent – but that doesn’t make this any less fun
by Derek Suboticki on Feb 5, 2009 6:01 PM EST up reply actions
There is no old vs new Strikeforce it’s the same exact company. They bought select assets from ProElite, including the video library, select fighter contracts (that they will have to re-sign to try and keep) and they used this to negotiate a new tv deal with Showtime/CBS. It’s not a new Strikeforce at all, basically this is just Strikeforce getting on Showtime/CBS.
You Say That
But it really changes a lot, and most importantly, it changes the fans mindset of Strikfeorce just being a regional company of the old.
The addition of KOTC and ShoXC will be huge for them as well.
ProElite still owns KOTC (well as much as they ever actually owned it):
At this time, it appears no Pro Elite employees will take positions with the Strikeforce organization., though Pro Elite still holds ownership of other promotions, including King of the Cage helmed by longtime MMA promoter Terry Trebilcock, who was also identified as in the running for the Showtime deal.
The average fan’s mindset was “strikeforce who?”. The hardcore fans for the most part already knew and loved Strikeforce to start with. We all knew they were on NBC and were on the verge of making waves and Strikeforce had already spread out to do shows in other areas. They are the same old Strikeforce that Dana White said was in the business for all the right reasons only now the have a Showtime contract. Heck the reports I’ve seen only say they picked up select EliteXC fighter contracts, it’s not like they just adopted the whole fighter roster into their own.
This was a partial asset purchase; they didn’t buy the whole car they just picked the parts they wanted off the wreck in the junkyard and left the rest. Strikeforce is still the same Strikeforce they were before they just picked up a used carburetor and a right rear quarter panel off ProElite’s rusting wreck.
Here are the details, as of now:
• Strikeforce and ProElite agree to a limited asset purchase, including some fighter contracts and options for additional fighter contracts.
• Strikeforce obtains library footage for EliteXC events.
• Strikeforce obtains licensing of the ShoXC brand name.
• [Pro Elite] Paid off debt to CBS/Showtime.
• Showtime remains a partner with ProElite, same ownership stake.
Moving forward ProElite will not dissolve, as was previously expected. The company will continue to promote MMA events, primarily under the King of the Cage brand, though it still owns the rights to EliteXC-branded events…It has yet to be determined what it will do with other promotional brands.
http://www.cagepotato.com/pro-elite-confirms-transaction-assets-strikeforce
From Sam Caplan
The prospect of a combined Strikeforce and EliteXC talent roster that is backed by CBS could produce a legitimate competitor to the industry leading Ultimate Fighting Championship. Top fighters currently on the Strikeforce roster include Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Renato "Babalu" Sobral, Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le, Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson, and former Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez. EliteXC’s current roster includes Gina Carano, Kimbo Slice, heavyweight prospect Brett Rogers, EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler, former Strikeforce middleweight champion Frank Shamrock, EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields, Nick Diaz, Eddie Alvarez, and Rafael Feijao.
From Sam Caplan:
The prospect of a combined Strikeforce and EliteXC talent roster that is backed by CBS could produce a legitimate competitor to the industry leading Ultimate Fighting Championship. Top fighters currently on the Strikeforce roster include Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Renato "Babalu" Sobral, Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le, Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson, and former Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez. EliteXC’s current roster includes Gina Carano, Kimbo Slice, heavyweight prospect Brett Rogers, EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler, former Strikeforce middleweight champion Frank Shamrock, EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields, Nick Diaz, Eddie Alvarez, and Rafael Feijao.
Alistair Overeem is NOT signed with Strikeforce. And that roster can’t compete with the UFC’s roster. Maybe if they pull in all the Affliction fighters too.
by Michaelthebox on Feb 5, 2009 5:51 PM EST up reply actions
Quite sure. His deal was 1 fight for Strikeforce, and they were never able to come to terms on another fight. In fact, what I heard was he wasn’t happy about how the negotiations went.
by Michaelthebox on Feb 5, 2009 6:54 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I like Rogan's commentary...
- in the business in my eyes.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 5, 2009 5:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I like Rogan too. He doesn’t get everything right, but he does better than everybody else I’ve heard aside from Quadros.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
Quadros and Mauro...
suffer from the same thing in my eyes. Their first events in PRIDE they were great…then they lost their minds at some point.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 5, 2009 6:06 PM EST up reply actions
That may be true, I really only heard him in a few fights on ShowXC. In one of those fights, he said something along the lines of, “Fighter X is keeps throwing his cross a little wide, and if I were in Y’s corner, I’d tell him to get his timing and then go straight down the pipe.” The guy’s corner preceded to do just that, and X got KO’d. It was awesome and I love that kinda stuff.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
Yeah...
when Quadros is just calling the fight and not freaking out he is great. Mauro doesn’t have those moments anymore.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 5, 2009 6:18 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed. Quadros still has the potential to be a terrific commentator. Mauro is just a joke at this point.
by Michaelthebox on Feb 5, 2009 6:55 PM EST up reply actions
Pretty Big Updates
Strikeforce and Showtime Networks have agreed to a three-year broadcast deal that will see mixed martial arts return to the premium pay channel by April.
Sherdog.com has learned that Lawler was under heavy consideration to coach opposite Brit Michael Bisping on the currently taping ninth season of "The Ultimate Fighter," but UFC brass had to pass up the power-punching Iowan when his contract obligations could not be untangled.
Lawler’s manager, Monte Cox, would not confirm or deny his client’s consideration for the high-profile position, and it looks positive that Lawler will re-sign a fresh contract with Strikeforce.
"We respect Strikeforce and we believe Scott Coker does a great job," said Cox. "Robbie would like to continue fighting for him on Showtime and CBS."
Carano, who was voted among Yahoo’s Top-10 Women of the Year alongside Hilary Clinton and Oprah Winfrey, is also said to be in renegotiations with Strikeforce.
Looks like everyone may resign with Strikeforce/ProElite.
Only questionable one is probably Shields.
RE-SIGN NOOB
Seriously though, for fighters like Carano and Lawler, it makes the most sense to stick with Strikeforce. Big fight purses, big sponsorship dollars, and the chance to be top-billed stars… it is pretty much a no-brainer.
Sponsorship dollars? Yeah, those numbers are comparable between SF and the UFC.
by Derek Suboticki on Feb 5, 2009 9:25 PM EST up reply actions
More than comparable. Fighters on the CBS cards were making mad sponsorship chedda. That is how it goes when you’re being viewed by millions of people on network TV.
I know you love the UFC, but the way you try to knock every non-Zuffa promotion, even when you clearly have no idea what you’re talking about, is disappointing.
CBS cards yes but card’s on Showtime will be less. Also Strikeforce won’t be able to pay like the UFC does, just because they made this purchase doesn’t all the sudden mean they are flush with excess capital. Strikeforce so far as been a really smart company with what they pay compared to what they take in, this isn’t going to be a Bank of Affliction scenario. There is going to be a lot of give and take here that fighters will have to look at before deciding what to do.
Network isn’t where the money it PPV is, Strikeforce having a network deal doesn’t mean that they will be any more financially liquid from it than EliteXC was. Strikeforce can be competitive over a lot of fighters pay but they aren’t going to be winning any bidding wars against the UFC. They aren’t going to be playing Uncle Affliction with contracts for the big stars either, it’s not like Strikeforce is all the sudden going to completly change how they do business.
This is big news but people shouldn’t read more into this than is actually here, Strikeforce just got some good fighters and a good tv outlet for events but they didn’t all the sudden become a different promotion than they were a month ago or fabulously well financed with tens of millions to toss around.
That fucking sucks for Lawler
He’d have made untold sums from the TV exposure TUF could’ve given him. And he’d have beaten Bisping.
by Derek Suboticki on Feb 5, 2009 6:01 PM EST up reply actions
Lawler wanted to the the TUF coach but couldn’t. That sucks.
by Derek Suboticki on Feb 5, 2009 6:06 PM EST up reply actions
That Does Suck
But, his manager said he is willing to resign with Strikeforce/ProElite, so, I think he will get over it.
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