It couldn’t have ended any over way. Tarec Saffiedine and Daniel Cormier, two talented homegrown fighters who rose through the ranks, from humble beginnings in the Challengers series to where they stand now, defending the throne in Strikeforce’s final hour. As both men graduate to the UFC, their successes stand as a testament to Scott Coker’s vision, and the promotion that defied expectations since its inception over seven years ago.
Whether it was Saffiedine painstakingly dismantling Nate Marquardt to snatch away the welterweight strap, or Cormier predictably mauling Dion Staring to call his UFC shot, Saturday night’s Strikeforce sendoff was tinged with bittersweet moments. And nowhere was that more clear than on Twitter, where a slew of professional fighters not only congratulated the victorious fighters, but also paid tribute to the organization they called once home.
SAFFIEDINE SHINES OVER MARQUARDT
I would not want to be Nate Marquardt’s leg right now! Holy shit!!!
— Dana White (@danawhite) January 13, 2013
Its going to feel terrible! RT @kathycush:Nates thigh is so red. That’s gotta hurt right??
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) January 13, 2013
Ouch!That leg is taking a beating!Championship rd,@shosports
— Scott Coker (@cokersf) January 13, 2013
Watching this fight is reminding me Jose Aldo vs @urijahfaber fight how much Punishment can u take its amazing wow @ufc @ufc_updates 👏👏👏
— Manny Gamburyan (@MannyGamburyan) January 13, 2013
Cheaters never win!!!
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) January 13, 2013
This will only make Marquardt even that much more dangerous. #UFC
— Mark Bocek (@MarkBocek) January 13, 2013
Rumor has it a lumber company just brought out Saffiedine’s fight contract, hiring him to cut down trees w/ those leg kicks #Strikeforce
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) January 13, 2013
Leg kicks back, leg kicks backThat’s all these people screaming that leg kicks back ! #Strikeforce
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) January 13, 2013
Wow smart gameplan! @tarecfighter might have got it. Your thoughts?
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 13, 2013
Ouch… Nice leg kicks ..
— FranCisco Rivera (@CiscoRiveraUFC) January 13, 2013
#Tarecsaffiedine you made all kick boxers proud!! Dammm I felt those low kicks by only watching!!!
— Germaine de Randamie (@IronLadyMMA) January 13, 2013
Nates leg looks like it might sting a lil lol still in search for that dessert….
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) January 13, 2013
Congrats Saffeidine and #TeamQuest.
— Mark Muñoz (@mark_munoz) January 13, 2013
I’m wondering if leg kicks still don’t win fights? #ThugjitsuThoughts
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) January 13, 2013
50-45 Tarec. Anything else is uncivilized. #Strikeforce
— Jason High (@KCBanditMMA) January 13, 2013
I wonder what color rouge Nate is using on his leg? Damn!! Leeeeg Kiiicks #STRIKEFORCE #Showtime#gethimawheelchair
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) January 13, 2013
Holy shit marquardts leg is destroyed! It’s swelling before my eyes!
— Patrick Healy (@BamBamHealy) January 13, 2013
Day after I fought @tarecfighter I was limping but I think Nate is gonna need a wheelchair #legkicks @strikeforce
— James Terry (@JamesTerry_USH) January 13, 2013
CORMIER DOMINATES, CALLS OUT MIR AND JONES
Nice work @dc_mma
— Jon Fitch (@jonfitchdotnet) January 13, 2013
Just think @mattmitrione, that could have been you tonight. What a wasted “opportunity”
— Sean McCorkle (@BigSexyMcCorkle) January 13, 2013
Dion staring put up a bigger fight than the Green Bay packers did tonight.
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) January 13, 2013
Just playing in the cage! Showed awesome ability in all areas @dc_mma. Good way to head to ufc
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) January 13, 2013
This looks like an NFL linebacker vs his middle school football coach
— Gerald Harris (@GHurricane) January 13, 2013
Was Dion Starling in die hard?
— Jon Fitch (@jonfitchdotnet) January 13, 2013
Cormier is a beast, big fan here… #strikeforce
— Mark Bocek (@MarkBocek) January 13, 2013
It probably won’t happen anytime soon but I’d love to see Cain vs Cormier.Note I’m not a fan of friends fighting each other…
— Mark Bocek (@MarkBocek) January 13, 2013
DC can make 205 easily @ufc @ufc_updates @ufconfox @danawhite
— Manny Gamburyan (@MannyGamburyan) January 13, 2013
Congrats! OKC IS GOING NUT! Solid work @dc_mma
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 13, 2013
Staring trying to take Cormier down is like a Criminal trying to rob a police department . STUPID #Strikeforce
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) January 13, 2013
Wasn’t aware @dc_mma was fighting Sergeant Slaughter. #Strikeforce
— Jason High (@KCBanditMMA) January 13, 2013
Did @dc_mma sign his fight with Mir while he was on Starring’s back?
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) January 13, 2013
Cormier is no joke!!! #STRIKEFORCE
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) January 13, 2013
. @dc_mma remains unbeaten and is off do big things in the @ufc! Can’t wait to see what he does next. #Strikeforce
— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) January 13, 2013
THE END OF AN ERA
Another great night of fights is in the books! Congrats to all of tonight’s winners. Thanks to the FANS for all your support over the years!
— Strikeforce (@Strikeforce) January 13, 2013
It’s obvious these @strikeforce fighters are coming to @ufc but god I hope these refs stay the hell where they are. #TapOutTilYouPassOut
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) January 13, 2013
I’m very sad that I may not hear Pat Miletich commentate on @showtime anymore. Frank Shamrock…not so much. #ThugjitsuThoughts
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) January 13, 2013
Watching #strikeforce and I feel sad lol it’s all coming to an end, but when one door closes another door opens I suppose
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) January 13, 2013
Great fights, awesome fighters, so happy they get to live the dream in the UFC now, welcome ladies & gents, proud to work w/ you
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) January 13, 2013
Thanks for signing me early in my career with few fights , the exposure on the big stage & memories Strikeforce . Much love ! – DB
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) January 13, 2013
4 years and 10 fights I had the honor of being a fighter in @strikeforce I am sad to see it end!! Thx @cokersf and @shosports for having me!
— James Terry (@JamesTerry_USH) January 13, 2013
#STRIKEFORCE you have thoroughly entertained me with some amazing fights!! Thank you!! RIP Strikeforce #Showtime
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) January 13, 2013
What a great ride I had with @strikeforce @cokersf @shosports So greatful to be part of something so special!
— Cung Le (@CungLe185) January 13, 2013
Thank you @strikeforce @shosports @cokersf for almost 4 years of my fighting career. The highs & lows of being in the cage wont be forgotten
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) January 13, 2013
I want to thank @strikeforce for a great few years and @seanshelby for making some fantastic fights. I’m excited about my future with @ufc.
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) January 13, 2013
Thank you strikeforce fans and showtime for all the great fights!I’ve enjoyed this journey more than u know!
— Scott Coker (@cokersf) January 13, 2013