FACEBOOK TWITTER RSS APP PODCAST Opinion & Analysis : Roundtables ROUNDTABLE (pt. 1 of 3): Would it be better for MMA for Strikeforce to grow or go out of business? Penick, Perez, Debar, Hyden, Rowland, Amadi

Mar 1, 2010 - 8:12:27 PM

Would you prefer Strikeforce in two years was out of business, close to UFC's equal (in revenue, ratings, buyrates, talent roster), or had surpassed UFC (assuming UFC stays static in the mean time)? Why?

ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

I would want Strikeforce to be nearly equal to the UFC if only because of the competition. As in pro wrestling and any sport, competition brings out the best in people, and with the UFC possibly feeling the heat from Strikeforce, they could produce some of their best cards. We'll be expecting Strikeforce to have their best cards because they are still going to compete with the UFC, and they'll have to have stacked cards to keep up. This can only do wonders for the sport and fuel competition, similar to what Pride did for the UFC. With an American based promotion putting out quality cards not named the "UFC", fans will get a chance to see different fighters and an alternative to the UFC. This will show that yes, there are other fighters and promotions out there other than the UFC.

CORY DEBAR, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

I would like to see Strikeforce and the UFC continue to grow at the same pace they are today. I think they are both good for one another and we have an opportunity as fight fans to enjoy talented fighters from both promotions. Competition will continue to help both businesses. With Strikeforce continuing their network television contract, this will only help the sport continue to grow.

FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

I would wish for Strikeforce to have surpassed the UFC in every single category. The reason is very simple - competition breeds a better product. You could guarantee that the state of MMA would be stronger than it ever has been before if Strikeforce were to overtake the UFC. To see two companies trying to outdo each other is the epitome of a perfect world for MMA fans. It'd be a total win-win. I would want the two companies to trade the top spot back and forth every few years or so. That would be my ideal situation.

GREG ROWLAND, MMATORCH AUDIO COHOST

I know nothing in life stays static, but in this case I wish it would. I love the MMA landscape right now, where UFC holds the majority of the top MMA talent under one banner, where we can see real top ten people fight each other instead of being bound to separate organizations. At the same time, we can change the channel and BAM! Some more MMA with a different flavor. Some very talented fighters in Strikeforce, just not the depth, but thats okay with me, because I need my UFC to be deep!

JASON AMADI, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

I’d prefer Strikeforce be equal to the UFC mostly in revenue, ratings, and buyrates, as they produce fun, exciting fights, usually for free. And that’s amazing for the sport. I’m not sure I’d like the talent roster to be equal, because you don’t want half the fighters belonging to one organization, and half the top guys belonging to another. Fans think they want that, but they don’t. It would be a terrible situation should that ever happen. Even when PRIDE and the UFC were both of equal size, most believe PRIDE far and away had the deeper talent, sans for maybe the Welterweight Division. A complete divide of top guys would be bad for MMA, unless cross-promotion became the norm.

JAMIE PENICK, MMATORCH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

I don't at all wish for Strikeforce to be out of business, but I don't think they'll be an "equal" to the UFC at any point. The money, the production, and the most world class fighters are with the UFC, and they're only going to increase their market share. I think Strikeforce can be a very successful #2 promotion for years to come if they can accept that as their place and not reach beyond their means. They may have the CBS deal and Fedor and the handful of other top fighters on their roster, but they will not have a large number of fighters heading their way from the UFC over the next two years, and more than likely some of their bigger names will jump ship when the UFC comes calling once their contracts are up. I hope they find their place as a no. 2 promotion, and perhaps even a breeding ground for tomorrow's stars, because if they try to go head up with the UFC to try to become no. 1 themselves, it will fail, and that's not good for anyone.

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