(photo cred: MMAWeekly)
So if you’ve just returned from a weekend trip that entailed avoiding the mass media altogether, you’re probably tuning into the fact that some serious shit went down while you were away. Strikeforce is now the property of Zuffa, the dudes that run the UFC, and today the promotion’s Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta and Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, participated in a media conference call to field questions about the ‘who said what about a monopoly’ news. Well, the good folks at MMA Fighting shared some of the highlights through the magical world of Twitter. What did we learn?
In regards to the sale of Strikeforce meaning that cross-promotional super fights will now materialize, you know, like Nick Diaz throwing down with GSP? Well, while White reiterated what he said on Saturday to Ariel Helwani about “it’s business as usual” for Strikeforce, apparently today he did acknowledge that such fights will happen someday, it’s just a matter of when.
To that end, a lot speculation as to why White maintains Strikeforce isn’t going anywhere for now (and not getting folded like a tent during a hurricane), is because of the promotion’s contract with Showtime. According to MMA Fighting, Fertitta reported today that the broadcasting deal lasts to 2014, and not 2012 as widely reported. White also stated that “anything is possible” in respect to a future merger…um, yeah, that’s probably a safe bet.
Other tidbits, elbows on the ground will be legal now in Strikeforce, the Strikeforce cage will still be used, and oh yeah, Lorenzo disagrees with the monopoly talk, as anyone can still get into the MMA business. True, just don’t plan on seeing any big name UFC stars sign anywhere else soon. Now let’s all start whining about when Overeem will fight Velasquez.