Strikeforce buys ProElite/EliteXC (F.Shamrock vs. Diaz 4/11)

[CPT]

I don't know if you guys have heard, but Strikeforce has come to an agreement to buy "select assets" from ProElite. It's not exactly clear what those assets are, but I've heard they are the fighter contracts, video library, and the TV deals with CBS and Showtime.

The first show with the new roster will be on April 11th in San Jose, and feature Frank Shamrock in the main event, and Scott Smith vs. Benji Radach on the undercard. I've also heard Nick Diaz will be fighting.

Coker said he did not purchase the contracts for all of the estimated 80 fighters under Elite XC deals, but that all the key names came with the deal, including Kimbo Slice, who still holds the record for the most-watched MMA match ever in North America in a CBS match last year.

Also confirmed as part of the deal were the country’s most popular female fighter, Gina Carano, lightweight stars Nick Diaz and Eddie Alvarez as well as Elite XC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler, and welterweight champion Jake Shields

The only official match for the debut show will pit Scott Smith, who had two shots at Lawler’s championship last year, against former IFL middleweight champion Benji Radach. Coker is also hopeful of putting together a match with Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson against K.J. Noons, who held the Elite XC version of the title before being stripped of it in October in a contract dispute with Elite XC management.

Strikeforce plans to line up match-ups this year from stars created on television and then go to the pay-per-view venue when ready.

“We’ll also be in the pay-per-view business, but not right away,” said Coker. “We’re looking at building Strikeforce fighters and Pro Elite fighters to make compelling matches. We’ll put those matches on pay-per-view when we’re ready.”

As far as the one potential superfight Elite XC left on the table – Carano against Brazilian Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos – Coker said Carano wants to do that match right away, but he wouldn’t commit to how soon.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

It will be interesting to see how an organization like Strikeforce handles being in the spotlight, and whether or not they can continue to do things the right way. They have been managed well to this point, but this is a huge move for them.

An organization with a TV deal and a talented roster of fighters that people actually know and want to see could be real competition for the UFC. Not take them down, but get established as a strong #2 anyway. They have managed to avoid the wrath of the UFC so far though, let's see what happens when the UFC replays UFC 94 on April 11th (for example).

[cowboyronnie]

They've got some real talent, talent that's been sitting on ice. Scott Smith - I like him - but there's many more fighters I'd rather see get co-main event.

Thomson vs Noons would be awesome. Holy ****.

[Cammo101]

I have read conflicting reports as to whether the fighters contracts are part of the deal. Rumor has ir, like the UCF/Pride deal, that the fighters have to re-sign or can walk. Jake Shields has already come out and said he does not consider himself signed by Strikeforce. They deffinately bought the TV timeshot and the rights to the older shows, the fighters seem to be up in the air.

Assuming they get those fighters, this is a huge deal for Strikeforce and a crappy deal for MMA fans. It will mean that just like before, good fighters like Shields and Lawler will be stuck fighting mostly second rate opponents instead of being in the UFC.

In a related note, Affliciton really dropped the ball here. They needed the influx of non-HW talent that this deal would have gotten them.

[Cammo101]

They've got some real talent, talent that's been sitting on ice. Scott Smith - I like him - but there's many more fighters I'd rather see get co-main event.

Thomson vs Noons would be awesome. Holy ****.

Noons was released by Elite when he refused to defend against Nick Diaz and has since been a free agent. Or so says KJ Noons anyways.

[CPT]

Yeah, I'm not sure how the fighter contract thing would work.

The same argument the fighters had when the contracts were going to be auctioned off would hold up here, wouldn't it? They signed with ProElite. If ProElite can't honour their end of the contract, the contract is voided, and they are free agents.

Of course, it would totally depend on the language in the actual contract.

[Chach]

It's my understanding that it is just like PRIDE where Strikeforce has first dibs but if an agreement cannot be reached, they are a free agent. Thing is a lot of these guys are represented by big management firms like Monte Cox, who desperately want to see a legit second option in MMA because competition breeds higher purses. So while you will get the odd Shields who doesn't want to sign (and who will get raped when he heads to the UFC), most of them will sign with Strikeforce because they have a good stable of fighters and they are paying pretty decent. No one from ProElite is going to get a PRIDE type contract. Man, those guys made a killing when they came over. mahalo
~Chach~

[Cammo101]

I expect Lawler and Shields to become free agents and end up in the UFC.

[Chach]

Shields is almost a given. Lawler I could see going either way. He works under Hughes and has improved by leaps and bounds so I could definitely see him wanting to jump back to the UFC but I don't know who his agent is and if they would push for him to sign with Strikeforce. He could make more money in the UFC so I'm leaning towards thinking he will become a FA but I wouldn't be surprised if he re-ups with Strikeforce. mahalo
~Chach~

[Cammo101]

Shields is almost a given. Lawler I could see going either way. He works under Hughes and has improved by leaps and bounds so I could definitely see him wanting to jump back to the UFC but I don't know who his agent is and if they would push for him to sign with Strikeforce. He could make more money in the UFC so I'm leaning towards thinking he will become a FA but I wouldn't be surprised if he re-ups with Strikeforce. mahalo
~Chach~

Lawler has been trying to go to the UFC since Elite folded. He was supposed to coach opposite Bisping on the new TUF season but could not get out of his contract. He definitely wants back into the UFC.

[CPT]

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2009/02/10/ ... l-11-show/

Former Strikeforce middleweight champion Frank Shamrock will make his return to competitive fighting after a one year layoff when he takes on Nick Diaz during Strikeforce’s next event on April 11 at the HP Pavilion and San Jose, Calif.

The matchup had been rumored for the past several days but FiveOuncesOfPain.com was able to confirm early Tuesday morning that the fight has been finalized. An official announcement could be made Tuesday during a joint conference call to be hosted by Strikeforce and television partner Showtime.

Shamrock, 23-9-2, fights at 185 pounds while Diaz, 18-7, primarily has competed at 160 and 170 pounds. As such, it was not immediately clear what weight the fight between the two California-based fighters will be contested at. However, Diaz has gone on the record before in interviews and stated that he would have no issue going up in weight if the right opportunity presented itself.

For Shamrock, the fight vs. Diaz will mark his first bout since sustaining a broken arm that forced an end to his Strikeforce middleweight title fight against Cung Le last March following the end of the third round. Despite having received medical clearance to return last fall, Shamrock has not fought since losing the title to Le.

Shamrock is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters to ever compete in MMA and was the first-ever UFC middleweight champion (later renamed the UFC light heavyweight title). The 15-year veteran holds notable wins in his career over Phil Baroni, Tito Ortiz, Enson Inoue, Jeremy Horn, Kevin Jackson, and Igor Zinoviev.

The 36-year old Shamrock will be giving up 11 years in age when he climbs into the cage to face Diaz. The 25-year old Diaz last competed in July during EliteXC’s “Unfinished Business” event, which was televised as a part of CBS’ Saturday Night Fights franchise.

Facing King of the Cage veteran Thomas Denny in Diaz’s hometown of Stockton, Calif., he was able to TKO Denny at 0:30 of round 2. The win served as Diaz’s third consecutive victory following a disappointing first round TKO loss due to cuts against K.J. Noons during EliteXC’s “Renegade” event that determined the promotion’s first-ever lightweight champion.

Noons was stripped of the title last year after refusing to fight Diaz and Diaz was subsequently signed to challenge for the vacant title against Eddie Alvarez in a bout that had been planned for a Nov. 8 event in Reno, Nevada. However, the event was canceled by EliteXC officials after the company suspended fight operations due to financial problems.

Strikeforce’s April 11 event will air on Showtime as a part of a new 16 event agreement between the two companies. Thus far, the only other reported bout for the show is a middleweight matchup between Scott Smith and Benji Radach. However, sources also inform Five Ounces of Pain that Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson and former Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez are slated for the card against opponents that have yet to be determined.

Kind of a strange fight, but I like it. A catch weight of about 175 lb would be best, IMO.

It would be sweet if they did Thomson vs. Melendez, or Ishida vs. either one (preferably Thomson). Getting Noons in the mix would make sense too, they could unify the LW title right off the bat (even though I don't think much of Noons and he was stripped by the old EliteXC regime).

[Cammo101]

Nick is a natural LW who has to gain up to WW. Frank is a natural MW. Frank will be too big and strong for Nick, even if Nick is the better fighter.

Radach vs.Smith will be a war.

[cowboyronnie]

Diaz is probably a natural 160-165, to be fair. He would have to cut water weight to even get down to there. They had to use a catch-weight in one of his EXC fights, cos he wasn't going to be able to get down to 160.

The size issue depends how much water weight Frank cuts.

This is awesome, I think.

Shamrock by KO?

[El Hardee]

Diaz by RNC.

[cowboyronnie]

MAIN CARD

* Nick Diaz vs. Frank Shamrock
* Champ Josh Thomson vs. Gilbert Melendez (for Strikeforce lightweight title)
* Joe Riggs vs. Jake Shields
* Benji Radach vs. Scott Smith
* Hitomi Akano vs. Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Zak Bucia vs. James Terry
* Eric Lawson vs. Richard Montoya
* Buck Meredith vs. Luke Rockhold

+ 2 prelims

[cowboyronnie]

Man, I don't think I can watch someone who looks like fight someone as vicious as Cyborg.

Hitomi is going to be looking to pull guard too, looking to have Cyborg on top of her. Jesus.

[Cammo101]

Radach vs. Smith is gonna be a war.

[CPT]

They had the press conference for this event last Friday (I think). Here are some videos (cell phone quality it seems like).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVZviugUFjY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnwEoZBMpAc

Diaz acting like a complete punk and Shamrock acting like a smarmy douche. Business as usual.

Cung Le was there for no apparent reason.

They also announced Jake Shields vs. Robbie Lawler for their May event. Makes no sense to me, but it's a hell of a fight. It's at a catch weight of 182 pounds I think.

[cowboyronnie]

Thomson broke his leg. Frak!!! They now have virtually a single fighter in their LW division.

[Cammo101]

Nick Diaz is a punk, and not half as good as he thinks he is. I hope Shamrock (who I also dislike) knocks him around like Noons did.

[Cammo101]

Thomson broke his leg. Frak!!! They now have virtually a single fighter in their LW division.

They should add Rich Clementi to the card in his place.