Strikeforce Should Hit the Reset Button

Jake Rossen thinks Strikeforce should let Fedor Emelianenko go:

It is at this point we should begin to consider the idea that Emelianenko is officially more trouble than he's worth.

 

 

There is no one outside of Overeem and Silva that makes any kind of sense for Emelianenko at this point in time. (I suppose Strikeforce could salvage the Josh Barnett fight, and it would be semi-worthwhile, but who knows what his licensing hassles would involve?) Emelianenko's management refusing either fight tells me they want a "confidence builder" so the Russian can polish some of the armor that got dulled against Werdum. It's not something Coker should be willing to accommodate, especially when the remainder of that division harbors Mike Kyle and Herschel Walker.

I have to say I agree with Rossen. I liked the position Strikeforce was in before the Fedor signing and I think they should revert back to some of there old business practices. They should cut costs and become a feeder show. If they trim the fat on their roster, Strikeforce should have enough room to get cage and T.V. time for it's young promising fighters. They should focus on expanding their brand out West and sign and develop their prospects. Strikeforce has very, very few prospects they have developed and getting rid of unneeded assets would get those fighters the recognition they deserve. They have the connections to do these things and Strikefoce would still make money on these shows.

Many prospects are coming out of the West and Strikeforce can become a prominent figure in promoting these guys. Prospects from Cailfornia such as Daniel Puder, Buddy Roberts, Michael Corey, Pat Minihan, etc The list goes on and on of talented guys Strikeforce could promote. Through this promoting philosophy Strikeforce could also learn how to develop prospects correctly, something they are having trouble with now. Fans in the west (or really hardcore MMA fans worldwide) could watch these young talented fighters grow and evolve.

Hitting the reset button would be a great thing for Strikeforce and it would be even better for the fans. Strikeforce can learn from their mistakes, while not spending a great deal of money on those mistakes. More importantly Strikeforce can learn how to promote MMA and the Strikeforce brand better by getting rid of M-1. By taking a step back I think Strikeforce would also be taking a step forward. They could have a clear mission statement, exciting young talent, and a hardcore audience that will be behind them. 

Strikeforce just wasn't prepared for operating as a National promotion when signing Fedor. To steal an idea from Malcolm Gladwell, Strikeforce hasn't put in it's 10,000 hours. Maybe one day Strikeforce can effectively operate a true National level promotion. I just don't think they have the wherewithal to do it right now.