UFC Vs Strikeforce

Ever since UFC bought Pride FC, there has not been any organization that could effectively compete with them in the mixed martial arts world.

Bodog, EliteXC and Affliction MMA all came and went. Now it looks like there is a company that is trying to be different and is having real success: Strikeforce. The road ahead is long and hard for the San Jose-based MMA and kickboxing organization but the first signs that they are moving in the right direction are there.

Early on Strikeforce, unlike the UFC, worked to share fighters with both Affliction MMA and Dream. Affliction MMA was a loss making operation but had the star power to compete (admittedly thin roster though) while Dream kept going in Japan and producing new stars like Gegard Mousasi that we see today.

Gina Carano vs Chirstiane Cyborg was the first show that really grabbed my attention but it was not until the collapse of Affliction did Strikeforce start to gain serious momentum.

The main difficulty for MMA promotions that have not reached critical mass is signing a good roster of fighters that is needed to then be able to setup strong tournament cards that would be interesting for the media to air. This "chicken and egg" problem was solved when Strikeforce started aggressively signing new fighters.

Today combining their existing fighters with Dream, they have a roster of fighters that potentially could become serious in the next 12 months. At heavyweight they can excel and this is perhaps where they should focus. Fedor Emelianenko, Alistair Overeem, Fabricio Werdum, Brett Rogers, Roger Gracie are just some of the fighters they have and if they can sign on Josh Barnett, Sergei Kharitonov (returning to action soon), Andrei Arlovski, Jeff Monson and Pedro Rizzo this could give Strikeforce plenty of depth.

The other divisions also require strengthening but I believe if they have enough depth in their heavyweight roster this could give them plenty of flexibility.

Brett Rogers vs. Fedor Emelianenko was free and a card superior to any UFC PPV this year. Yes UFC does put on good shows but with the injuries and problems it is facing, the fans could likely see a real alternative to the UFC soon. Fighters are already wanting to leave. Dan Henderson and Karo Parisyan could be a nice addition.

Yes they have to start making money which they are not doing so far. They need to do a deal for some online PPVs and in the UK where MMA is rapidly growing. Much more work is still ahead of them and they can't make mistakes but if they solve some of the production and marketing issues and continue signing new media deals, this could be the new MMA promotion with real content that the fans have been waiting for.