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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
This Saturday night in Oklahoma, Strikeforce will run its final event. However, just because it's the last Strikeforce event on Showtime, it doesn't mean it will be the last MMA event on the premium network.
Showtime executive Stephen Espinoza confirmed on Monday that the network isn't looking to stay out of the MMA business.
"We had the option of moving forward [with Strikeforce]," Espinoza said in interview with MMAJunkie.com. "We decided not to exercise that option."
"We are actively looking for other opportunities. [We] haven't found the right opportunity yet, but we are definitely looking for the next relationship in the MMA space."
Per the report, Shark Fights, Legacy Fighting Championship, Invicta FC, and Xtreme Fighting Championships have all been rumored to have spoken with the network. Espinoza said meetings have taken place recently, but again reiterated that nothing has been set yet.
"Every opportunity is evaluated on its own merits, but we certainly have an appetite for at least the same level of programming we were getting from Strikeforce, if not more," he commented.
Penick's Analysis: It's going to be hard for any one organization to have a pool of talent worthy of being broadcast regularly by Showtime. That's one of the reasons the depleted Strikeforce roster led them not to exercise an option for 2013, and why Strikeforce will fold after Saturday. While there are a number of smaller, more regional promotions who have been putting together fights, some on television, some online, it's going to be tough to gather much talent that isn't already snatched up by Bellator or the UFC. Still, they'll keep looking, and I wouldn't be surprised if they have something lined up by the end of 2013, if not earlier.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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