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WALKER: Better Fights, Better Options - The Case For Killing Strikeforce
Oct 17, 2012 - 3:45:59 PM WALKER: Better Fights, Better Options - The Case For Killing Strikeforce

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By: Brad Walker, MMATorch Columnist

It's about that time where we all have to simultaneously come to the conclusion that right now, Strikeforce is a lost cause. There are fighters trapped by contracts who would all have a better shot at making decent money and fighting better opponents under the UFC flag. Not only do these fighters deserve to be moved over to the big leagues, but they need it for their careers to remain relevant. Strikeforce is as dead in the water as Pride once was, except it's not money that's holding it down, it's Showtime and poor booking mixed with the inability to port in UFC fighters. I will also not fail to mention the fans also deserve to see these fighters go up against men of equal talent who can actually make it a real fight.

It has been a long time coming for Strikeforce; they put together a few rather successful bouts under the Zuffa banner, but it is time to call it a day and send the worthy fighters to UFC and release those who won't make it. Jacare Souza, Luke Rockhold, Tyron Woodley, Derek Brunson, Gilbert Melendez, Daniel Cormier, Tim Kennedy, and Nate Marquardt are just several of the names who could be added to the UFC talent pool if this transition was made. Nobody in their right mind wants to see these men continue to suffer in MMA purgatory with no one to fight and no money to make on cards that fail to even draw a million viewers at their peak. I've talked extensively with my MMA:10 co-creator and brother in law about this and with the inability to actually put a card on television for the rest of the year, it's time to stick a fork in Strikeforce. Added to that, who doesn't want to see the women's division finally hit the big stage? It's time these fighting women got a shot in the UFC.

Gilbert Melendez is probably the most valuable commodity in Strikeforce besides Daniel Cormier, and his fight opportunities in the UFC would be endless, to say the least. Cormier would be catapulted into contention for a belt that actually holds relevance, and possibly make his way onto the pound for pound list. Rockhold and Marquardt would find some actual competition in their weight class, and either prove their mettle or get to stepping down from their present thrones. Guys like Jacare Souza, Tim Kennedy, Tyron Woodley, and Derek Brunson would be able to expand their talents and face off with better fighters than Strikeforce is going to be able to bring in. How can anyone look at the present state of Strikeforce and their lack of a product making its way to television and believe that it should still exist?


The women to sign over are going to be a little bit more tricky, as there are only three or four that I would say are a given, those being Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, Sara McMann, and Liz Carmouche. It's a good starting point if they were to reset things and do a title tournament, and it brings over the top four women they have who don't have suspensions for PED related issues. Down the line if Cyborg can prove she's clean and willing to meet these women in a more mutual weight class she could be an option, but I find it more likely she would make her way to Invicta than to the UFC. How can we deny all of these people such an opportunity as to stop carrying the load for a company that is dropping misfortune on them constantly and not give them the chance to shine in MMA paradise? Besides, a Tate vs. Rousey rematch on Fox would crush the numbers put up by Cyborg vs Carano for the simple fact that both fighters in this case are actually women.

There are other thoughts to give though; the UFC undercard would receive a significant boost from fighters like Robbie Lawler and Lorenz Larkin coming into the fray, not to mention the slew of relatively good lightweights that currently are under SF contract. It boggles the mind that this transition hasn't already been figured out and put in motion by Dana White or anyone at Zuffa considering how bad things are right now on Showtime. If Eddie Alvarez finally makes his way to the UFC following the end of his Bellator contract we could finally see Alvarez vs. Melendez, and I'm pretty sure that's a universally interesting fight. Everyone is suffering right now from the lack of any feasible product, and the inability to actually get a show on the air; so why are we keeping these fighters stuck in limbo? Let them free and get the best of the pack into the UFC and end all of the suffering; and for God's sake, end Strikeforce!

Thanks for reading, follow me on Twitter @BradMMATorch