I’m going to level with you for a second, Potato Nation. As I write this, it’s nearing five o’clock on what has been a dull and dreary Friday here in the Adirondacks. I’ve spent nearly all of my money on a bunch of ill-advised Christmas gifts and I’m looking to throw the rest into a bar tab starting pronto, so I apologize for my rather apathetic candor whilst delivering this news.
It has recently been announced that a date for the long anticipated finals of Strikeforce’s heavyweight tournament has been set at last, and a location has also been determined. March 3rd, at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. UFC/ PRIDE veteran Josh Barnett will face undefeated prospect Daniel Cormier. In two and a half freaking months. If you recall, this Goddamned tournament began over 10 months ago.
(We know Josh, we’re frustrated too.)
I’m going to level with you for a second, Potato Nation. As I write this, it’s nearing five o’clock on what has been a dull and dreary Friday here in the Adirondacks. I’ve spent nearly all of my money on a bunch of ill-advised Christmas gifts and I’m looking to throw the rest into a bar tab starting pronto, so I apologize for my rather apathetic candor whilst delivering this news.
It has recently been announced that a date for the long anticipated finals of Strikeforce’s heavyweight tournament has been set at last, and a location has also been determined. March 3rd, at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. UFC/ PRIDE veteran Josh Barnett will face undefeated prospect Daniel Cormier. In two and a half freaking months. If you recall, this Goddamned tournament began over 10 months ago.
Though I have few doubts that the fight will be anything but a barnburner, I just can’t seem to get all that excited for a match that determines the kingpin of a division that won’t even exist next year. It’s the same reason that I cannot watch an episode of Communityanymore without feeling this heavy, sickening sense of resentment in the back of my mind. So, again, I apologize for my lack of much-needed hype for this event, but I’ve already forgotten what I was writing about.
Be honest, none of us thought Strikeforce would actually get to renew their contract with Showtime network, but miraculously a deal was made. So naturally, Dana White will finally be involved in promoting the organization..
Be honest, none of us thought Strikeforce would actually get to renew their contract with Showtime network, but miraculously a deal was made. So naturally, Dana White will finally be involved in promoting the organization. White stated, “I never thought I would say this, but I am very much looking forward to building Strikeforce and working very closely with Showtime.”
Thankfully White will be apart of things though, because Strikeforce is losing its best known division, the Heavyweights as the top guys migrate over to the UFC. But don’t fret, we will all get to see that long awaited Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament Finale with Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier before the division is completely absorbed, though of course, no date on that fight card has been announced.
Also on the list of cuts is the Strikeforce Challengers series, but you probably don’t care about that since that’s pretty much why it’s been axed.
Other fighters tested and found clean were: Sergei Kharitonov, Daniel Cormier, Antonio Silva, Luke Rockhold, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, Mike Kyle, and Yoel Romero. Congrats, men: you’re either in that “very small percentage” of fighters who don’t juice, or in that big group smart enough to pass the tests.
“Not only have I never done steroids, I wouldn’t know who to approach if I wanted to buy them.” (Photo: MMAMania.com)
Other fighters tested and found clean were: Sergei Kharitonov, Daniel Cormier, Antonio Silva, Luke Rockhold, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, Mike Kyle, and Yoel Romero. Congrats, men: you’re either in that “very small percentage” of fighters who don’t juice, or in that big group smart enough to pass the tests.
“This hurts me more than it does you.” PicProps: Esther Lin
Bad news for all you rabid Daniel Cormier fans: the big guy confirmed yesterday that his right hand is indeed broken after he used said hand to bludgeon Bigfoot Silva into La-La Land and out of the heavyweight grand prix:
Cormier worked his way from an alternate slot in the Strikeforce GP to a finals matchup with Josh Barnett, but his victories may be all for naught if he doesn’t heal quickly enough.
“This hurts me more than it does you.” PicProps: Esther Lin
Bad news for all you rabid Daniel Cormier fans: the big guy confirmed yesterday that his right hand is indeed broken after he used said hand to bludgeon Bigfoot Silva into La-La Land and out of the heavyweight grand prix:
Cormier worked his way from an alternate slot in the Strikeforce GP to a finals matchup with Josh Barnett, but his victories may be all for naught if he doesn’t heal quickly enough.
MMAJunkie relayed that Scott Coker would like to have Cormier in the finals, but speaking hypothetically, “if Daniel wasn’t available for an extended period of time, [Strikeforce would] consider another opponent” for the final bout of the tourney.
That final bout is tentatively scheduled for sometime early next year, but Strikeforce has shown impatience before with tournament entrants taking time off for injuries, so … paging Chad Griggs?
With the Halloween approaching, we find Rachelle Leah working on her Spider Woman moves [pic above]. Josh Barnett earns top dollar at $150,000 for Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Semi-Finals. Hungry Jon Fitch tweets: “Started training.
With the Halloween approaching, we find Rachelle Leah working on her Spider Woman moves [pic above].
Josh Barnett earns top dollar at $150,000 for Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Semi-Finals.
Hungry Jon Fitch tweets: “Started training like I’m in a fight camp this week. If anyone gets hurt I’ll be ready.”
TUF 8 Finalist, Phillipe Nover signs with Bellator, added to November 26th card airing on MTV2.
Strikeforce medical suspensions handed to five fighters including Antonio “Big Foot” Silva and Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos.
Anywho, you may have seen pictures of the GP championship belt that showed up last week, and heard that Coker and company are still lukewarm about the idea of calling the GP winner the Strikeforce champion. We thought that didn’t really make sense, and Josh Barnett agrees. At the Strikeforce press conference Saturday night, Barnett tried to twist Coker’s arm a bit, asking: “Why don’t we sweeten the pot?” Barnett asked. “Why don’t we put that title on the line between me and Cormier?”
Coker, bless his heart, didn’t want to commit to that, and you have to wonder: “Why?”
Great belt, or the greatest belt? PicProps: AnnieSHOSports/Twitter
Anywho, you may have seen pictures of the GP championship belt that showed up last week, and heard that Coker and company are still lukewarm about the idea of calling the GP winner the Strikeforce champion. We thought that didn’t really make sense, and Josh Barnett agrees. At the Strikeforce press conference Saturday night, Barnett tried to twist Coker’s arm a bit, asking: “Why don’t we sweeten the pot?” Barnett asked. “Why don’t we put that title on the line between me and Cormier?”
Coker, bless his heart, didn’t want to commit to that, and you have to wonder: “Why?”
It seems that we here at CagePotato were more right than we knew when we said that championship belts just may not be a good idea in Strikeforce. Anyone who can claim a title in Strikeforce is obviously headed to competition in the big show, so why bother naming a champ if you don’t have a champion’s clause to keep him? Strikeforce would constantly be having tournaments and bouts to fill vacant championships, and you can imagine how much esteem the title would hold if a fighter claims the Strikeforce title, gets called up to the UFC, drops two straight, and then gets sent right back to Strikeforce. Is that fighter an automatic contender for the Strikeforce strap?
So upon reflection, it seems Coker has the right idea: trophies and belts are great for designating a big win like sweeping through a tournament field. Fighters should get some kind of tangible reward (aside from cash) for their wins. But with it now crystal-clear that Strikeforce will hand over its best and brightest to the UFC roster, there’s no need to anoint one person as the best in Strikeforce. That’s just the on-deck circle for the big leagues now.
