When Zuffa purchased Strikeforce, it was believed that it would dissolve the company and bring all of the top talent to the UFC. The only question was when.
Here we are, over a year later, and Strikeforce is still running events. It’s even renewed its deal with Showtime for the duration of 2012.
But how long will Zuffa keep Strikeforce operational when most of its best fighters have already been signed by the UFC, and its ratings are steadily sliding into the gutter?
Strikeforce currently lacks champions in the heavyweight, light heavyweight and welterweight divisions. Daniel Cormier and Josh Barnett will finally conclude the heavyweight grand prix on March 19th, but Zuffa has made clear its intentions of doing away with the heavyweight division.
So aside from being just a good fight, it really has no promotional relevance.
Strikeforce’s three biggest stars—welterweight champion Nick Diaz, light heavyweight champion Dan Henderson and heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem—were all poached by the UFC.
It still has middleweight champion Luke Rockhold, who has all the makings of a future star—all except a suitable line of opponents. Double down on that for lightweight champion Gil Melendez, who is being kept criminally inactive in his prime athletic years due to the lack of credible challengers.
Dana White even tried to get BJ Penn to fight Melendez in Strikeforce, but Penn declined, citing not only his desire to take a break from fighting, but what must be a popular thought among UFC fighters: that going from the UFC to Strikeforce is a demotion.
The talent and charisma of Ronda Rousey has piqued a renewed interest in women’s MMA, but that’s really the only pro in a sea of cons for the organization.
Despite White’s insistence that Strikeforce will remain intact and things will be “business as usual,” the ratings are what matter. If ratings continue to be dismal, then plans will be re-calibrated.
Maybe there are things that we just don’t know, things that will keep Strikeforce afloat. After all, Zuffa is masterful at long-term business strategy. While smaller promotions are out there playing checkers, Zuffa’s always played chess.
It’s still just difficult to imagine how Strikeforce can remain functional when the few stars it has are famished for legitimate opposition. Great fights bring eyeballs, not just a great fighter here and there.
If Strikeforce is still around by this time next year, it’ll be a miracle. The Showtime deal was good through 2012. If ratings do not improve dramatically, then it will likely not be renewed.
Strikeforce is what it’s always been—a very good promotion that prides itself on putting together exciting matchups. So enjoy them while they last, because come 2013, Strikeforce will be just a fond memory.
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