Tag: podcast

The question of whether or not Strikeforce could have saved the upcoming Melendez vs. Healy event is still being bantered across the net by fans and media, with the possibility of pitting Pat Healy against Josh Thomson for an interim title or promoting another fight into the main event.

In the end, a “weak undercard” was likely the cause for the shows cancellation according to Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer.

Meltzer spoke to Mauro Ranallo on Tuesday during the live podcast of “The MMA Show with Mauro Ranallo” giving his reasons on why a second ZUFFA show ended up on the chopping block with mere weeks from the Sacramento, California event.

“(It got cancelled because) it had a really weak undercard. The deal is, and this isn’t just a Strikeforce thing, but when you had lesser shows, you had more depth on each individual show so you were able to make more saves to keep these shows together so you wouldn’t go, ‘Oh my God’ if you ran this show without the main event, it was worth it to keep it on PPV or on TV. I was surprised Showitme cancelled the show this late — everything’s set up, you have the TV time slot locked in, there were eight other fights- – and this card was stronger than the old Friday night (Strikeforce Challengers cards). But for a Saturday night card, it was pretty weak, so I’m not blaming Showtime considering the amount of money they were going to spend. We’ve seen countless times in boxing, if the main event gets scratched, the show gets cancelled.

“But you could have moved Josh Thomson to the main event and still televised the card. It wasn’t quite as attractive, but it was still a card. There were still ways of saving the card. On Strikeforce’s side, you could have ran the card. But you would have had to offer refunds, and I don’t know the arena advance, so really, both Showtime and Strikeforce made the call. Without the television money they figured it wasn’t worth running the show. And just like UFC 151, the fighters got screwed.”

Also appearing on the podcast Canadian UFC lightweight TJ Grant, Strikeforce lightweight Isaac Vallie-Flagg, and Demetrious Johnson trainer Matt Hume.

With the cancellation of the upcoming Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Healy event following an injury to headliner lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez, every fighter on the card has had their lives thrown into turmoil.

Number one lightweight contender Pat Healy feels particularly “devastated” over the cancellation, having put so much time in training as well as his own funds into preparing for a world title.

Healy tells ‘The MMA Show with Mauro Ranallo‘ that he would have gone so far as facing Josh Thomson in an interim title fight in order to save the card.

Check out part of that interview below, or hit play above, to listen to the podcast.

“I was so shocked. It was like less than a week (until the event). It’s pretty much a foregone conclusion. I’m getting on the flight the next day. I’m devastated man. This opportunity was so big for me, I’ve worked so hard for this, for it to fall through right at the end, I can’t tell you how devastated I am. I’m so bummed out.

“If I had to guess, and I’m at the low end, but from the start of the training camp to the end I’ve put like $4000 to $5000 into my training. Now I probably won’t even fight until the end of the year and you gotta take your show money and sponsorships and at the very low end, that’s what you’re going to miss out on. It can be a significant cut to your income for that year and your quality of life.

“(Cancelling the card) makes me nervous. My job security doesn’t feel as tight. It sounds like Strikeforce wanted to keep the card on and for Showtime to pull the plug, it makes you nervous for what’s to come after this for sure.

“There were options (to save the card). They could have done an interim belt. I know Josh Thomson would have fought me. I would have taken anyone they would have offered me. I would have done my part to keep the event going. (Losing my title shot) wouldn’t have even been a consideration.

“I’ve put a lot of work into this and (the card and fight getting cancelled) is as emotionally taxing as it can come.”

Also featured on Monday’s podcast were Strikeforce heavyweight Daniel Cormier, Strikeforce middleweight champ Luke Rockhold, and Team Jackson-Winkeljohn coach Mike Winkeljohn.

Former Strikeforce lightweight contender Jorge ‘Gamebred’ Masvidal (23-7) is looking to get back into the cage so he can support his family.

Despite two events booked on Showtime this fall, ‘Gamebred’ finds himself on the sidelines and is willing to move up to welterweight if they needed someone.

Speaking to MMAWeekly Radio, Masvidal discussed his desire to “get paid” and his willingness to compete at a higher weight.

“I would even be willing to do 170, if they needed a 170-pounder. I’d be willing to jump up to 170. For 155, I’d be able to make it depending on how short of notice,” said Masvidal.

“I’m going to start training now for November just in case something happens and they need a 155-pounder or 170-pounder, I might even make myself available for 185 if they need me, and they take care of me. I’ll go up to 185 and kick somebody’s ass.”

If a fight doesn’t happen by the end of the year, Masvidal is afraid he might have to go back to a past life he thought he left behind long ago.

The Strikeforce lightweight was once well known in the YouTube world as a street fighter who competed in the same type of competitions as former UFC competitor Kimbo Slice.

“Check me out on YouTube. Keep your eyes posted, I’m about to do a street fight,” said Masvidal. “A couple hundred dollars and I’ll be right back in the street with some Air Force 1?s still whooping some ass, I’m telling you. I’m like three days away from it.”

Masvidal bounced back from a decision loss to Strikeforce lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez by winning a split decision over Justin Wilcox in Oregon this past July.