Earlier this year, when Zuffa purchased Strikeforce, intrigue, confusion and concern flooded the MMA universe. The future of women’s MMA was up in the air, as well as who would be left in the organization and how it would conducted as a fight promotion. UFC President Dana White and Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker took to the media to help clarify some things.
Somewhat eerily and enigmatically, both stated that it would be business as usual.
When a woman is pregnant, nine months pass; a time of uncertainty mixed with anxious excitement that ultimately leads to things never being the same, for better or for worse. Strikeforce was no different. It is nine months later, and “usual” is the last term many would use to describe Strikeforce’s operations.
By the time many will read this, Gilbert Melendez with either be getting ready to fight, or already has fought Jorge Masvidal. Regardless, Saturday night plays host to arguably the last man standing in Strikeforce.
This is not to take away from other fighters, but Melendez has consistently proved to be one of the best talents in the promotion. He is ranked number two in many Top Lightweight lists, an honor that doesn’t usually include many names outside of the UFC rosters.
The business as usual mentality has brought upon the exodus of fighters and champions, including Jake Shields, Dan Henderson, Cung Le, Jason Miller and Alistair Overeem. Fedor Emelianenko was one of their biggest draws, but following his stint of losses, he moved on from Strikeforce, leaving Overeem to carry the popularity of the heavyweights.
Now that all of them are gone, it would seem Melendez is the last one left.
There are great fighters still in Strikeforce, but it was this seemingly snatch-and-grab of all of the big name guys. Jacare Souza is left, but now that he has lost his belt, his name starts to trail for many. If Melendez loses his fight against Masvidal, something similar may happen.
Women’s MMA over in Strikeforce is looking rather grim as well. With the absence of Gina Carano, and no other women fighting besides Ronda Rousey since July, the women’s division is looking weaker than ever. Cyborg still remains, who will also be fighting on the same card as Melendez.
Dana White has since stated that the women’s division will stay, and fighters like Melendez will as well. This statement was made in December 2011, and probably is the most parallel with his initial words.
With that statement though was the shocking announcement of getting rid of the heavyweight division. With the dissolving of the heavyweights, Strikeforce and Zuffa have once again made business very UNusual. The heavyweights are what kept that promotion afloat for most of 2011, and now they will be short a division, and a popular one at that.
It can also easily be predicted that the future of EA Sports MMA is dead in the water, if it ever was swimming in the first place.
The first, and almost certainly last installment of the game featured Fedor on the cover, alongside Randy Couture. One of them has fizzled out of the spotlight, and the other was never a part of their Strikeforce promotion to begin with (and retired as well).
While this game wasn’t titled “Strikeforce,” Couture’s involvement certainly brought some interest that would not have been there before, since the rosters were all Strikeforce fighters.
Go back to October 2010, right before the release of EA Sports MMA. Now change the rosters to what they are now, and take away the heavyweight division altogether. Now put it on the market. Not much needs to be spoken on how the game would be received.
While this is just a video game, one can argue it runs in line with the actual promotion as far as catching people’s attention and interest. With these losses and changes that have taken place, the UFC grows stronger, and Strikeforce stays on Zuffa life support.
Whether they will turn it into a “minor league” or shut it down altogether is yet to be determined. In another nine months, who knows what will happen? Dana White has indicated that Strikeforce is here to stay, but this may just be White conducting business as usual.
Join the MMA Facebook Page! and follow the @FightersCreed on Twitter!
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com