Strikeforce Planning to Overthrow the UFC in More Than One Weight Class in 2011

by Kaleb Kelchner on Jan 27, 2011 9:11 PM EST in MMA

The game has been stepped up, ladies and gentlemen. Strikeforce's attempt to overthrow the UFC's heavyweight division as the best in the sport with their Heavyweight Grand Prix has been well documented here at Cageside Seats, and rumor has it that we may be seeing more than just this attempt to surpass the UFC in terms of having the best fighters in certain weight classes. Josh Gross of ESPN reports:

Dream co-producer Real Entertainment plans on forging ahead in the turbulent Japanese mixed martial arts promotion business with an eight-fighter lightweight tournament starting in May, sources tell ESPN.com.

HDNet confirmed to ESPN.com that they would broadcast the tournament stateside.

The field would consist of Strikeforce and Real Entertainment fighters, possibly but not necessarily under the Dream banner, and likely without FEG, which has been its promotional partner since Pride Fighting Championships was purchased by Zuffa in 2007.

"We're committed to keeping our fighters active, but if we can help Dream and have our fighters go over there and participate in their tournament, why not?" said Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, who confirmed ongoing discussions between his promotion and Real Entertainment for the May event. "If things go the way they should, I feel confident we'll send a bunch of guys over."

The lightweight division is right next to the heavyweight division in terms of the UFC not having control of a large portion of top 10 fighters. It makes complete sense that Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker would be more than happy to send fighters over to participate, Strikeforce fighters have manhandled fighters from Dream so far, and would likely do so throughout this grand prix, catapulting the winner through the ranks just as the winner of the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix will. A Dream/Strikeforce lightweight grand prix would feature fighters such as Gilbert Melendez, Shinya Aoki, Josh Thomson, Tatsuya Kawajiri, and many more.

If things proceed as planned for Strikeforce, 2011 could end up being their year in the battle against the UFC, and as a fan, I am thrilled. When the UFC's back is against the wall, they make power plays, look no further than Brock Lesnar vs. Junior dos Santos on TUF 13 to see what I mean. Strikeforce is striking while the iron is hot, and look to rival the UFC just as Pride did in years past. The wildest thing? It just might work.

Poll

How many weight classes will Strikeforce hold the #1 fighter in by the end of 2011?

2+

25 votes

1

73 votes

None

102 votes

200 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

If they can add Alvarez to the tournament

And have him fight Melendez in the first round, then I’m sold. Although … I think Frank Edgar and Gray Maynard still hold the top 2 spots for the time being.

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by KJ Gould on Jan 27, 2011 9:19 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Exactly

if they reach out to Bellator and bring Eddie in the mix, then I’m in.

by mo dogg on Jan 28, 2011 12:22 AM EST up reply actions

In response to the poll: One. Fedor. There’s just no one outside the UFC for Gil to beat that would legitimately justify him at # 1. Gil/Alvarez would be awesome, but I don’t think it’s enough. WW and LHW aren’t happening. I can see a very, VERY small chance for Jacare to stake a claim IF Anderson retired and the UFC MW title went into flux.

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by Tim Burke on Jan 27, 2011 9:21 PM EST reply actions

Zero

Fedor won’t win the GP. If Werdum wins, JDS put him on a stretcher. If Overeem wins, he has two top ten wins and one over whomever won the other side of the bracket. Gil can’t go any higher than 3 without fighting in the UFC, and nobody’s getting above him by beating him.

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by Derek Suboticki on Jan 28, 2011 3:22 PM EST reply actions

I voted zero...

…but on second thought, I’d have to say two. Of course, those two will be Cris Cyborg and whoever the 135 women’s champion will be by the end of the year.

As far as the weight classes that are covered by the UFC, there will never again be a number one fighter outside of the organization. And it doesn’t matter in the slightest who wins the Strikeforce GP because without beating Cain Velasquez, there is no claim to be made at being the best. And to beat Cain Velasquez, you have to be in the major leagues.

By the way, the notion of the UFC’s back being “against the wall” is beyond ridiculous. Strikeforce is far from being any sort of serious competition. Let’s just put it that way: As far as their stature in MMA goes, Strikeforce is closer to King of the Cage as it is to the UFC.

by Nachtfalter on Jan 28, 2011 11:56 PM EST reply actions