UFC buys Strikeforce

[TDFG]

Dana says strikeforce will continue, but for how long.

Thank you Zuffa, Dana etc.

[TVS]

Once the showtime contract expires, fighters will be assimilated and lots of guys will get cut. Namely Barnett, Nick Diaz, Fedor won't negotiate a deal, Overeem will go to kickboxing (partly because he wanst to do that part time while fighting MMA and partly because he avoids the US and their damned athletic commissions like the plague). UFC has already cast Arlovski once - why would they bring HIM back in the fold.

I don't think this will end up all that well. Think about it: if Fedor doesn't sign, then what's the benefit, fighter wise? UFC has no interest in a female division - they don't draw shit.

The only benefit I see is the headway with Showtime and CBS, that is if Showtime can swallow their utter distaste for Dana White from the last time they tried to negotiate. Showtime could just say, fuck it - we'll stick to boxing. That would be utterly moronic, but they might do it.

I'd venture a guess that CBS would be skittish to air the UFC. Showtime was under the radar enough to avoid flack from the conservative main stream. UFC is the big dog - everyone equates them with MMA and "human cockfighting".

Well, now they are MMA.

Don't expect another EA MMA video game anytime soon, either.

In the end, all this will do is bolster the (often unregulated) regional promotions (i.e. Alabama and their crazy ass promoters). There will be a flood of name brand talent looking for a place to float along until they either die or can't walk and these local promotions will pick them up like TNA picked up elderly WWE stars from years past.

[gutterhippo]

I don't think this will end up all that well. Think about it: if Fedor doesn't sign, then what's the benefit, fighter wise? UFC has no interest in a female division - they don't draw shit.

Well, if it's true that you're only as good as your last fight, then I don't think anyone but the most hardcore of fans would really care to see Fedor in the UFC. If the UFC even pursues Fedor, it would take quite a bit of hype work to build up Fedor again and make him enough of a draw to offset his contract. And is that really something the UFC wants to do for a fighter whose management has caused them so many headaches?

I think the best thing that could come from this, fighter-wise, is a Nick Diaz return. I don't really know what type of falling out they had, but how bad could it have been if Nate is in the UFC, and Nick has cornered for Nate's UFC fights?

[word life]

Once the showtime contract expires, fighters will be assimilated and lots of guys will get cut. Namely Barnett, Nick Diaz, Fedor won't negotiate a deal, Overeem will go to kickboxing (partly because he wanst to do that part time while fighting MMA and partly because he avoids the US and their damned athletic commissions like the plague). UFC has already cast Arlovski once - why would they bring HIM back in the fold.

Diaz wasnt cut by the UFC he left because of pay. Dana has no problems with him i would guess he stays after the merge really where else is he gonna go at this point Japanese MMA is all but dead and the only thing state side left is Bellator or Shark Fights plus MFC in Canada and really they cant offer the money or fights to him. Barrentt and Fedor will never fight in the UFC. I dunno how Dana feels about bringing back Paul Daley and Babalu guys that were throw out for dirty fighting. I would guess Overeem goes to the UFC people can say all they want about him juicing but he had no problems passing the tests when he fought Brett Rogers. Also FEG the company that runs K1 and dream is all but dead (plus dosnt pay their fighters in a timely manner) and outside of K1 there isnt really any big money spots in Kick boxing so i would bet he signs with Dana.

I cant wait for the merger so many great fights are possible 2 years from now.
Reem vs JDS, Cain, Brock or Carwin
Jacare vs Maia, Palhares
Gegard vs any top ten 205er

Plus guys like Mayhem, King Mo, Werdum, Bigfoot, Hendo, Cavalcante, Gilbert Melendez have a good chance of coming to the UFC. UFC now has most of the great fighters in the world under their control. If only they could get Lombard and Eddie Alveraz now

Id like if the UFC keep Strikeforce around after the two years if only as a minor league where young guys could get some fights and others fighters can get back on track.

[go to sleep]

The only fighters I for sure don't see coming to the UFC eventually out of this deal are Barnett and Paul Daley. Barnett is all of a sudden singing a different tune about Dana White and the UFC, but it may be a little too late to salvage his career thanks to multiple steroid busts and accusations that Dana White himself is on steroids. White has already stated several times that Daley will never fight in the UFC again, and while White has gone back on statements like this Daley has already mouthed off about how he doesn't want to fight for Zuffa and may pull out of his scheduled title fight with Nick Diaz.

Speaking of Nick Diaz, I think he is absolutely going to become a part of the UFC's roster. White has stated several times that he likes Nick personally, but that he needs to learn to play the game (i.e. promoting fights, staying out of trouble, etc.). The 170 division in the UFC has been cleared out by GSP, so adding a current champ like Diaz gives the UFC a marketable fight. While I don't think Diaz would beat GSP or a lot of the UFC's top 170 fighters, I think he has enough of a name and marketability to be an asset.

Overeem focusing on kickboxing isn't really that much of an option at the moment. He's a part of the Heavyweight Tournament for Strikeforce, so we will see him fight (in June I believe) in an MMA cage. Also, given the state of K-1, Dream, Japanese MMA, and unfortunately Japan itself at the moment I don't Overeem has many other options.

[TVS]

I, too, would be shocked if Daley or Barnett fought for the UFC. I saw that article about Barnett liking the idea of the merger bit shit...

Then again, Dana has a track record of doing what is good for a card after he makes his points loud and clear.

I totally forgot about Gegard Mousasi. He belongs in the UFC. As for Nick Diaz vs. GSP -do that shit, Dana - if for nothing more than to see it happen despite GSP's eternal dominance.

[TVS]

I, too, would be shocked if Daley or Barnett fought for the UFC. I saw that article about Barnett liking the idea of the merger bit shit...

Then again, Dana has a track record of doing what is good for a card after he makes his points loud and clear.

I totally forgot about Gegard Mousasi. He belongs in the UFC. As for Nick Diaz vs. GSP -do that shit, Dana - if for nothing more than to see it happen despite GSP's eternal dominance.