What kind of impact will Fedor's loss have on Strikeforce?
Posted on June 28, 2010, 10:13 AM by Daniel CassidyLet's be honest, for Scott Coker and company, Saturday night couldn't have went much worse. What started off as a good night of fighting, with no upsets, quickly changed. It took just 69 seconds for Fabricio Werdum to shock the world, and turn Strikeforce's Heavyweight division on it's head. Not only that, but this shock win has changed the HW rankings as well.
With Fedor's downfall, Strikeforce can no longer lay claim to housing the World's Number 1 Heavyweight among their ranks. Sure, the win now leaves Werdum high in the ranks, perhaps maybe even top 5, but the only problem is dudring Vai Cavalo's time in UFC, he suffered losses to former UFC champ Andrei Arlovski and then a KO to current top ten HW Junior Dos Santos. Ranking Werdum above JDS is rather difficult, given it was just three fights ago that JDS cleaned his clock.
But what now for Strikeforce? Today Scott Coker I'm sure expected to be talking about Fedor fighting Alistair Overeem, in a bout which would give the Strikeforce belt the credibillity it sorely needs. Instead of this, Strikeforce seems set on a rematch between Werdum and Fedor. Instead of promoting another legit challenger to Overeems belt, they are taking away from Werdum's acheievement.While a rematch between Fedor and Werdum will give SF another high profile fight, it leaves Overeem in limbo. He made it quite clear beforehand he wanted the winner of this bout. To be quite honest, it's possible a very disrespected Overeem could walk away from Strikeforce, with his desire to fight Werdum or Fedor being ignored.
The Strikeforce roster may not be nearly as deep as the UFC's, but that is not to say it is without talent, or more importantly, marketable fights. While the Heavyweight division is somewhat messy, other divisions are a little more strightforward. Coker has promised to hold a Middleweight tournament, whether or not Jake Shields takes UFC's offer and vacates his belt. The middleweight division is perhaps where SF is strongest. They hold some very significant fighters, such as Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, Dan Henderson, Cung Le, Robbie Lawler and Jason Miller, to name a few.
As for other weights, marketable fights are less obvious. While there is the possibillity of a couple of "Super fights", these do very little for the company's rankings, with so much jumping around in weights. Sure, people will want to see scores settled between Nick Diaz and Jason Miller or KJ Noons, but after this, then what? Short of bringing in more talent, of which UFC seems to be picking up most free agents of any significant value, after these fights there really isnt much more to do.
The Lightweight division offers even less exciting fights. Lightheavyweight provides fans with more names than any division outside of HW, but most big named matches have already happened. Harcore fans will always watch for the fights, but casual fans are only drawn in by big names.
Despite this, Scott Coker's plans of co-promotion with Dream do allow a couple of other fights, but the problem here is that Strikeforce lose out on a great deal of money in this situation, and this could see Strikeforce belts heading into other promotions, something which has stopped UFC President Dana White from even considering the possibillity. Losing a belt to another promotion completely undermine's the belt and the original promotion.
So, overall, the effect Fedor's loss has on Strikeforce is all down to Strikeforce's next move. Should Werdum fight Overeem, it gives acknowledgement to Werdum as a legit HW. If Werdum should fight Fedor in an instant rematch, then Strikeforce are basically calling his win a fluke, by giving Fedor another chance.
The only immediate issue Fedor's loss creates is with any possible negotiations with UFC. Without his unblmieshed career record, M1 have lost much of their overall leverage with UFC. With Fedor no longer at the top of the HW food chain, M1 are no longer able to hold UFC to randsom. Strikeforce have ironically and inadvertantly given UFC the worlds number 1 Heavyweight, without costing them a single green cent. It seems this Saturday night, the UFC's showcase bout betweeen Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin will now determine who really is the Heavyweight division's Top Dog, once and for all.
Comments
Great thread man, it gives plenty of food to thought! I agree with you, in case of an immediate rematch they loose all credibility in their tittle promotion, not to mention alienating (again I may add) Overeem. I hope SF continues to promote fights, as a MMA fan the more the merrier, but I do hope they get a new CEO, someone that actually understands and believe in the sport, so they can get the credibility their lacking right now.
StrikeForce has an event called "CHALLENGERS" where they let new comers try and get recognition ,A lot of those fights are really good and FREE! why would you want Strikeforce to die? so some fighters can get into the UFC? Dana Knows that Overreem will beat Brock and Carwin. Im paying 50bucks to see Brock fight next week but if they were in Strikeforce I could see them for free
Yes, I know about the Challengers series. UFC as Fight Night Live which is free also (on Versus iirc...?). Whoever said Strikeforce should end btw...? Dont know were you got that idea but people are only discussing what could possibly happen here. And SF main objective is PPV, theire only building up for that. Oh, and youre absolutely confident Overeem would beat Brock or Carwin...? Dos Santos and Cain as well right...?
I think SF will live on and things won't change much. They still have enough fighters to create a few matchups we still want to see. Of course they aren't as big as the UFC but who cares? Most people just want to see the fights. As for M1 yea they just lost a potential fortune but Fedor wasn't in the UFC then and he sure doesn't have to go now. I can't wait for the Shane and Brock matchup to be over. I want to see JDS and Cain get their shots to really see who is the top fighter of the 4.
I don't think it will change things much either. The only question is will they start to put fights together in a more logical manner or not? To me the frustrating thing with SF is the awkward way that they put fights together and coordinate fighters climbs to title shots, etc., not the promotion's existence itself. For whatever reason(s) they can't seem to get their ducks in a row. We all want to see great fights, and have the best face the best, that's a given.
@CageRage
Yea they do some funky stuff because they have a tiny roster. Eventually they will build up their fighters and champions where people will know them and they should stabalize. The UFC wasn't always big. Chuck became their star that really made the UFC huge. And btw does anyone realize that Liddell will go down as one of the greatest light heavyweights of all time and he defended his title against mostly fighters that people don't even respect as top anything nowadays. Sorry I kind of rambled there but yea I would say give SF some time and they will be alright... unless Dana crushes them with his iron fist of MMA hahaha!
It is a good time for SF since they made huge headlines! Things are getting more interesting with Fedor's loss. They need things to shake up. Any match would make great headlines Werdum vs Fedor II or Overeem vs Werdum. The perfect scenario is Werdum vs Overeem, Fedor vs Big Foot. If Overeem wins Werdum and Fedor wins Big Foot, it would be a fight of the decade, like Ali vs Forman. All the odds would be for Overeem and Fedor is underdog. Perfect come back for Fedor!
The thing is that SF dont decide who Fedor is gonna fight!Nor do they decide when hes gonna fight,and that piss me off.And its even worst since hes only fighting like....once a yr!
As for their tittles(the SF belt,I mean)they dont look to be worth much!
Werdum him self said it,he prefer to go to Russia and fight Fedor for a second time than fight Overeem for the belt!Even Jake Shields,the MW champ,is most likely to vacant his belt to sign a contract somewhere else!
All that is not good at all for SF.The ultimate goal of a fighter's career,is to be a champ,to own a belt.
And why the hell did Fedor fight Werdum,since he was suppose to be the #1 HW in the world.Did he really had to prove himself to be a tittle contender by fighting Werdum?
He was ducking Overeem,and SF had nothing to say abt it!That is the truth.
this is becoming pathetic, you little dana white minions.
What are you even saying right now? Seriously.... HUH? Why are people like you so obsessed with the UFC and branding? Of course UFC is being discussed in the article, its highly relevant being that they are the top promotion in the sport right now. Why are u even here? You are obviously not open to discussing MMA or accepting others opinions? So that basically means you are here to argue and make stupid remarks, while people take their time to write and submit well thought articles for us to enjoy and discuss. What is your contribution? Stupidity? Well thanks, but no thanks!
You tell'em
:D
Like others have said, promotion aside, I just like to watch good fights. However, at the end of the day, it would be nice if they could get it together.
Watching good fights is great, but it definitely adds to the excitement and draws in a bigger audience when there is a purpose. In other words, when the fighters are competing to move up the ladder, for a #1 contender spot, or for the title itself, it obviously makes things that much more interesting. The relevance of holding a title in SF is suffering and Overeem has been treated like he doesn't matter. I would not be surprised if he jumped ship when his contract expires.
In the end, we all want to see SF survive, if for nothing else, then at the very least for the variety and number of fights available to fans and in order for them to survive they have to get their shit together.
I agree SF needs to plan now and decide what they want to do. In my opinion it should be Werdum/Overeem. I think they got Fedor were they want him now. They may get him to sign an extension. I would like to see him fight Werdum again and then Overeem. He only has one fight left under this contract. If he doesn't sign after the next fight. I see him going to the UFC. THis is what I am predicting he will fight Mir, Loser of Carwin/Lesnar and then the champion whoever that is.
M-1 needs to get it together too. Look Fedor has 1 loss big deal. I think the pressure is off now and he should go to the UFC after the next fight. If not sign extend existing contract for 2-3 fights.
People still want to see Fedor fight. I am a huge fan, but I don't think SF should have him fight Werdum again.
On the other hand, if he beats Werdum it makes the Overeem fight even better. Then again, Overeem is the Champ and you don't keep the Champ waiting. I say get the Overeem/Werdum fight underway by mid Sept. have Fedor fight Anonio Silva and have a fight in Dec.
Either way they cut it SF better keep their fighters happy and with valid reason.
I believe he should fight Werdum again, but not his next fight.
I do have a question for some fighters on here. Usually when Fedor fights he swings from the side. This time he was over top of Werdum instead of attacking the side. Against Nog and Babulu he swung and attack from the side.
Fedors loss didnt hurt strikeforce, they aren't affliction. If anything, it makes that division more interesting because now instead of "Fedor vs can A,then B, then C" it actually has the chance to become a legitimate matchup now in which either fighter could win or atleast challenge the other.
Hard to know how anyone can say thatw as a fluke. Taking advantage of a blatant and constant mistake is a fluke? Well, i've definitely seen worse on here
Well, Chuck wasnt the one that made the UFC big, he was involved in the recognition of the sport thou. In history, the fight that got the world hooked is the TUF 1 finale with Forrest and Bonner, considered by many the best fight in MMA. And Chuck got great fights, defended the tittle against the best of that given time.
As for the Thread itself: the company is still small but its growing. SF will have a problem thou because they seem to promote only 2 or 3 fighters, I mean Hendo will get a big hype, Fedor will get a big hype, Cung Lee will get a big hype, the other fighters seem to just be there to fill up spaces, they dont get the same kind of attention thats for sure. Now that they will have to "depend" on Nick Diaz, on Gilbert Melendez and King Mo, the general audience that isnt an MMA fan like we are, dont know who thous guys are, making it harder to promote theire events...
@T666: all your posts are anti UFC and you seem to have some kind of hatred for Dana White, you must realize by now your posts loose a lot of credibility when your commenting on something related right...? Oh, and its funny seeing some people here defending SF on theire business, making it look like theire some kind of "good guys" in MMA not looking for profit or anything, when very recently they disrespected a champion (Jake Shields) the way they did, or even the presentation of this last fight were they putted Fedor so high, it seemed Werdum would have to get an AK47 to defeat him... Anyway, both are business and will be managed on a way that will give more profit to the company, its the same in UFC and other companys, dont fool yourself thinking the contrary...
I believe it will cause the interest in StrikeForce to explode exponentially, resulting in a catastrophic collapse of interest in the UFC, NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB.
The subsequent vacuum will leave StrikeForce in complete control of the sports entertainment market in North America; Soccer and curling will stand alone, as the only legitimate rival to StrikeForce's preeminence.
Hey I'm not a Fedor fan but give the guy a break. He has legitimately lost one fight minus a freak cut. His loss doesnt spell doom for strike force. Of course, it is time to throw him to better fighters to prove that loss was just a fluke. Ill still be getting that stuff free on showtime next month! As far as the man goes, it was just a fight. As far as his site lackeys go hahaha he got owned!
"it's possible a very disrespected Overeem could walk away from Strikeforce, with his desire to fight Werdum or Fedor being ignored."
A very good point. There is much less reason for Overeem to care about the Strikeforce belt now. Being the first one to beat Fedor was probably what he wanted most. Now Fedor lost to someone who Overeem would likely dominate in a one-sided fight.
Who would you rather see Overeem fight? I'd rather see him fight Kongo than Werdum or Fedor. Overeem versus JDS? Or Overeem versus Fedor? I think it's clear that most honest people would want to see him fighting at the top instead of sitting on a meaningless belt.