For Dep (via la2foru)

Tim, I didn't think it would end like this.  But it did.

"The reality is we now own Strikeforce." - Dana White

Boy, did I pick a shitty day to sleep in.

Only the sparsest of rumors alluded to today's blockbuster.  Zuffa's purchase of Strikeforce is more of a fiscal maneuver than a flat-out dissolution/envelopment; Strikeforce will remain a separate entity for the time being, with no alteration to their current contract structure (I imagine it would be quite difficult to convert dozens of non-exclusive contracts into Zuffa deals overnight) or immediate fights between members of the respective rosters.  In that sense, my enthusiasm is tempered - the cries of Overeem/Velasquez, Jacare/Maia, Melendez/Edgar and other drool-worthy hypothetical match-ups are slightly premature.  I also wish that Dana would take this opportunity to shit-can both Barnett and Daley, though I'm heartened to hear White reiterate that  Daley will never fight in the UFC again.

That said...

via i289.photobucket.com

Over at Head Kick Legend, come on by for a breakdown of Dana's comments during the Helwani interview, analysis of the purchase's benefits to the UFC and MMA as a whole, and probably a little more gloating.  I've been rowing this boat for years, and the land is closer than ever.