What the UFC signing of Lavar Johnson, Chad Griggs means for Strikeforce HW's
Posted on December 21, 2011, 01:28 PM by Joey Santosus
Just days after it was revealed that the Strikeforce Heavyweight division would soon cease to exist, it's merger with the UFC's 265-pound talent appears to be underway.
During a media conference call held last week, it was announced that Showtime and ZUFFA had extended their broadcasting deal, allowing the Strikeforce brand to live on for the foreseeable future. Though this meant job security for many of the up and coming fighters that the promotion currently employs, news that they would eliminate their Heavyweight division left the big guys in limbo.
While ZUFFA had already began absorbing some of the division's bigger names into the UFC, such as former Strikeforce champ Alistair Overeem and Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace Fabricio Werdum, it was unclear what the future held for the lesser known prospects that had found success while cutting their teeth in the San Jose based organization. That now appears to have changed.
The UFC has confirmed that former Strikeforce staple Lavar Johnson has been booked opposite Joey Beltran at UFC on Fox 2, and sources close to the fighter have revealed (via MMAWeekly) that Chad Griggs will make his octagon debut sometime in 2012.
Johnson (15-5) is a California native and local fan favorite, but will head into his clash with Beltran on a two-fight losing slump. Griggs (11-1), meanwhile, has won three straight under the Strikeforce banner, including an upset victory over Bobby Lashley in his debut, but remains a full-time firefighter.
Although both competitors have displayed great promise in their recent outings, the UFC's acquisition of such talent attests to the likelihood that others, such as Daniel Cormier and Josh Barnett, who are currently set to meet in the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Finals, will eventually follow suit.
With the current lack of any solid confirmation that the division, as a whole, will be absorbed into the UFC, one can only speculate on which individuals may or may not make the final cut. But, if these recent signings are any indicator of things to come, it appears that most will, at least, get a shot to prove their worth in the world's most prominent mixed martial arts promotion.
Photo: CombatLifestyle.com
Comments
It means you were better off to lose or not even be in the HW GP
Barnett, Cornier, and Bigfoot Silva are bound to join the UFC. When this happens, the HW division will be more stacked and competitive than ever...VERY exciting news!
@ Borealis19.. its very exciting news that everybody already knew when dana announced it the other day... i think this article is more about how all the HWs will merge into the ufc, even the HWs who weren't stars will most likely get a shot to prove their worth
You are partially correct. However, Dana White has never stated with any degree of certainty which Heavyweights will make their way onto the UFC roster.
With that said, the signing of names like Johnson and Griggs is a great indicator that fighters such as "Bigfoot" Silva, Barnett, Cormier, and other popular Heavyweights are almost guaranteed to make the cut.
I dont get which HW is going to fight the winner of Barnett/Cormier....with all these HWs already signed to the UFC it only leave like Big Foot n Del Rosario, but Del Rosario hasnt fought for most of this year n has been injured so it wouldnt make sense to have him fight Cormier/Barnett, Im hoping they just let that plan go n have the winner of the GP fight Mir for the number one contender spot
I have nothing against Cormier or Barnett, but neither of them have any business fighting for the #1 contender spot against Frank Mir. They'll be a great addition to the heavyweight division, though.
@nick44;
?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
What a load of pretentious BS...
I will say this, I think Cormier is being over hyped, and I really don't see barnett being a real threat
your "tone" comes across as very fabricated and fake: "neither of them have any business..." pffffffff whatever.
He probably thought Couture did more than Fedor and Big Nog overall at HW aswell; the zuffa nerd.
chad griggs is the funnest HW to watch, means great new addition to the ufc family
This means they will have 2 quick go to guys when they get ready to cut someone.
So i guess I should cancel my Showtime subscription?
I just ordered showtime (< )(< ) lol they said there would be a new season of Strikeforce anyways and we'll probably even see some new amazing fighters who will get their chance to step up.
Plus the movies are pretty good sometimes.
hehe Griggs, the Strikeforce ****roach, managed to creep through to the UFC, good to see it.
haha the site censored "c0ck" in c0ckroach
that was rather ****y of them....I mean c o c k y
Haha but wtf is ok? lol
Chad Griggs will be the UFC HW champ in 2013.
The big fight that will really make MMA mainstream.
Chad Griggs (c) vs Junior dos Santos II for UFC HW belt
February 5th 2014 Cowboy Stadium
Co-Main event for the UFC Bantamweight title:
Jason Reinhardt vs Alex Caceres
Dana White: "The biggest fight in UFC history".
Haha! Jason Reinhardt! LMAO!
It's just a sign of things to come. Slowly but surely StrikeForce will be disolved slowly into the UFC. A transition that will go unnoticed by the casual fan that has no idea that Showtime's even got an MMA show. So ya Mr. DJPlatUSA; you might want to think about changing that script!
Making way for new divisions of Snake fighting (excellent strikers) and Hamster grappling, its hell hanging onto one of those guys!.....i wont post anymore tonight I've had too many beerz.
where does hershal fit it?
it means the ufc really has or will have soon once dc and the rest jump undoubtedly the best heavyweights in the world i mean who is there to fight outside zuffa fedor arlovski or silvia ?
Chad Griggs is a tough SOB. I'd like to see him fight Meathead.