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Today's Strikeforce/Showtime conference call provided a few more tidbits on the new television deal between the two sides. Here are some notes from the call:
-The deal kicks off with the January 7 card, which comes during a free preview weekend for Strikeforce, which will be available in 60 million homes.
-Showtime will host 6-8 events during the year, and there is an option for more years and events after 2012.
-The women's 135 and 145 lb. divisions are sticking around, and with the heavyweight division getting phased out they'll attempt to focus on their other four men's weight classes and the women going forward.
-Though it wasn't explicitly stated, the implication seems to be that there will be some crossover from the UFC into Strikeforce events. In the specific example of Gilbert Melendez, Dana White said he's "absolutely f***ing excited" about this new deal. That despite comments made by Melendez about his continued desire to fight in the UFC.
-The welterweight and light heavyweight divisions will get Champions sometime soon, and the next few events will work towards providing the competitors in each of those divisions to contend for the currently vacant belts.
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