Is Strikeforce Trying To Do Too Much Too Fast?
by Kelvin Hunt on Oct 6, 2009 5:15 PM EDT
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PrintWe've witnessed MMA(mostly the UFC) grow in popularity the past 3 or 4 years to levels never thought possible. We've seen promotions come and go, fighters rise and fall, and new stars emerge all within the same time frame. The Strikeforce promotion has been one of the successful MMA promotions outside of the UFC here in America. At one point a few years ago, Strikeforce held the record for the largest attendance at a MMA event in North America. At the time, Strikeforce was still largely a regional promotion holding most of their shows in San Jose, CA. However, we've seen Strikeforce come up with the quickness like crabgrass in the summertime within the last year. Then they aired the first major female championship fight between Gina Carano vs. Cyborg Santos. They partnered with Showtime, acquired EliteXC assets, and now will be airing a show on CBS in November headlined by Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers. However, is Strikeforce trying to do too much too soon?
The UFC routinely puts on 2-3 fight cards a month nowadays, and they pull it off without missing a beat with each fight card generally featuring 10 fight or so. Now, Strikeforce will be offering 3 events in November:
-ShoMMA: Gurgel vs. Evangelista on November 6th in Fresno, California
-Strikeforce: Emelienenko vs. Rogers on November 7th in Illinois
-ShoMMA: Couture vs. Vera on November 20th in Kansas City, Kansas
As of right now, there's only two fights announced for the November 6th card. There's only 2 fights announced for the November 7th card, and one fight for the November 20th card. In the past, each Strikeforce card has featured around 11 or so fights per event. Fighters like Gergard Mousasi, Roger Gracie, and Fabricio Werdum are all without opponents as of right now. In fact, there are only 42 fighters listed on the entire Strikeforce roster at the promotions home page. Of course, I'm aware of their partnership with DREAM and they could feature some DREAM fighters on these cards. However, with DREAM 11 taking place today and DREAM 12 taking place on October 25th, who would be available from DREAM?
Also, let's not get into the Nick Diaz/Jay Hieron debacle with both fighters seemingly getting the runaround from Strikeforce according to the latest reports. We've seen Affliction, the IFL, BoDog, EliteXC, and others go up in flames by trying to do too much too fast. Could Strikeforce be heading down the same path?
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If they start losing money hand over fist like Elite did then yeah they are doing to much too soon, but if not then I hope they keep putting as many cards on cable tv and CBS as they can.
As far as it taking so long for the opponents getting announced for some of the fighters on these cards don’t you think that will be getting a big overhaul with Strikeforce hiring an official matchmaker?
They Are Fine...
As long as they are making money and building up their brand, they are good. Now if they had to go to PPV early next year like the WEC will, then I would be worried. If you have to go to PPV to make money, then that’s when you have no chance.
Oh, and they have 4 fights officially announced for the CBS show.
Main Event:
Fedor vs Rogers
Undercard:
Mayhem Miller vs Jake Shields (Strikeforce MW Title)
Mousasi vs TBA (Filho/Lombard possible)
Werdum vs TBA
Prelims:
Mark Miller (9-5) vs. Deray Davis (5-1)
Christian Uflacker (2-0) vs. Jonatas Novaes (4-2)
Rumored: Jacare, Matt Lindland, Robbie Lawler.
In Talks With: Andrei Arlovski, Bobby Lashley, and Antonio Silva.
I see Jacare, Matt Lindland, Robbie Lawler rumored. If Werdum gets the last TV spot please don’t tell me they’re going to have Lawler in an untelevised fight, and more importantly after Filho’s terrible performance at Bitetti I really don’t want to see him on CBS.
Also what up with Arlovski? Is he negotiating a deal with Strikeforce. I mean I know the UFC has said they’re not interested but this guy’s still a top 10 talent IMO.
by scrambledeggs on Oct 6, 2009 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions
The infamous
Welcome to mma4real…..why is Strikeforce taking forever to finalize these fights? It’s like DREAM is rubbing off on them…lol
http://www.mmaforreal.com
Follow Me On Twitter@KelvinHunt
by Kelvin Hunt on Oct 6, 2009 9:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
They finalize most ahead of time, but they don’t want to announce them until all the t’s are crossed and i’s or dotted. =)
Also..
There is obviously some growing pains right now because there is a TON of demand for MMA right now, so they are doing what they can to meet it. Hiring Chou as their official match maker was one of those under the radar moves that will pay off for them in the near future.
Yea
Nice move by them with doing that…it’s tough to be the promoter and the match maker..
http://www.mmaforreal.com
Follow Me On Twitter@KelvinHunt
In my opinion Strikeforce is biting off more than they can chew.
The major problems in no specific order are:
1) CBS – When you sign with CBS you hand over “creative control” to them. CBS doesn’t see mma as a legit sport and tries to make a spectacle out of it by adding rap performances and dancing skanks instead of focusing on the fighters. Also, CBS’ “deep pockets” are a non factor considering that they fork over nothing but exposure in the deal. They do not contribute to fighter purses, advertising, venue or any other costs, that is all covered by SF.
2) Fedor – Simply put, the guy isn’t worth the huge price tag attached to him. SF doesn’t have the brand recognition or the fanbase to offset his purse, much less M1’s chunk out of the gross. It has been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that Fedor neither sells PPVs or puts asses in seats. SF has no drawing power what so ever.
3) UFC – Competition is never healthy for the small fish in the small pond. SF had a good thing going, they were turning a profit and steadily growing their brand and fanbase. They were small time but that was a good thing because you can’t just jump in the deep end(see Affliction) off the bat, you have to learn how to float first. Now they are poking the great white shark with a stick while bleeding from the asshole so there is blood in the water and they are going to get eaten.
We’ve seen this show before from EXC and Affliction except now SF is repeating the mistakes of both failed organizations combined.
Some people are like Slinkies... not really good for anything, but you still can't
help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs...
Haha...
No, they aren’t in a 40 million dollar debt or rely on the PPV model twice a year to make some revenue.
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