(Props: AXS TV Fights)
We knew that Strikeforce’s November 3rd event in Oklahoma City was in trouble after losing its main event and co-main event due to injuries. (By the way, top female prospect Sara McMann just dropped out of her main card fight against Liz Carmouche due to an undisclosed injury. Unbelievable.) But Strikeforce’s recent string of awful luck might actually turn out to be the death-knell for the promotion. Here’s what Kenny Rice had to say on yesterday’s episode of Inside MMA:
‘Inside MMA’ has heard from multiple sources that the relationship between Strikeforce and Showtime may be coming to an end. We are being told that the November 3rd event is in serious jeopardy, and there is a strong possibility that Showtime will no longer broadcast Strikeforce events. This could very possibly signify the end of the Strikeforce brand. Strikeforce was purchased by Zuffa, the UFC parent company, in March of 2011. We have yet to receive any word from either Showtime or Strikeforce as this development continues.
Let’s hope this turns out to be true. I mean, we’ve been waiting for this moment for over a year now, right? Strikeforce stopped being relevant the moment its Heavyweight Grand Prix finally concluded, and what few world-class fighters remain on its roster need to be shipped over to the UFC as soon as possible, while they still have some good competitive years left in them. (No offense, but I’d rather see Gilbert Melendez face Ben Henderson than Pat Healy, and I’d rather see Luke Rockhold face any of these guys than Lorenz Larkin.)
The biggest problem that Strikeforce’s collapse would raise is what to do about Ronda Rousey, who is becoming the biggest crossover star in the sport, but now might not have a major venue to fight, unless Invicta somehow cobbles together a TV deal and brings her aboard. We know that UFC president Dana White likes Ronda — like, like likes her — but is he ready to promote the occasional women’s fight in the Octagon? We’ll see. Things are about to get interesting. But remember: This is good news. We’ll update you if we get an official announcement…