Strikeforce Aims for Middleweight Tourney Kick-Off in October

[CrimsonGhost56]

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Strikeforce-Aims-for-Middleweight-Tourney-Kick-Off-in-October-25673

Strikeforce is moving forward with plans to launch an eight-man, two-night middleweight tournament at a Showtime-televised event in October, said CEO Scott Coker on Wednesday.

Coker said recent reports that the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation had rejected Strikeforce’s request to hold a four-man tournament on Aug. 21 -- thus forcing the promotion to move to a single championship bout -- weren’t correct.

As reported by Sherdog.com throughout June, Coker said the promotion always had its eye on hosting both a championship bout and a tournament from the start.

“We always felt that crowning a champion would be the first priority,” said Coker. “We will host a tournament in October. It looks like the first round will take place then, which will lead to the final four in December.”

Coker said the promotion has initial plans to run the semi-finals and finals in one evening this December.

California is a possibility for one or both events, said Coker; the California State Athletic Commission regulated a four-man, one-night tournament with Strikeforce in 2007.

In Texas, Coker said he only inquired about the tournament format with the commission, but was told it wouldn’t be allowed.

“They told me the reason they had stopped (allowing) tournaments was because of the Toughman contests,” said Coker.

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Tim Kennedy with vie for the middleweight title recently vacated by UFC-bound fighter Jake Shields at Strikeforce “Explosion” on Aug. 21 at the Toyota Center in Houston.

Former EliteXC champion Robbie Lawler, Melvin Manhoef, Kazuo Misaki, Luke Rockhold, Jason “Mayhem” Miller and Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz are among those being considered for the eight-man tournament.

glad to see its still gonna happen. i hope they can do it the right way with having the final 4 all in one night

[Kuzzy Powers]

Multiple fights in one night seems awesome from an entertainment stand point, but in reality, fighters would likely just be gassed out or beat up by the 2nd fight of the night, and it would result in a lesser fight. These guys arent as tough as the mother fuckers in the 90's..

[Bigpapa42]

Multiple fights in one night seems assume from an entertainment stand point, but in reality, fighters would likely just be gassed out or beat up by the 2nd fight of the night, and it would result in a lesser fight. These guys arent as tough as the mother fuckers in the 90's..

Yeah, as much as I love the idea of a one-night deal, its likely to have fighters drop out. Which makes it far less fun.

I don't know that fighters are "less tough" nowadays so much as smarter about things. Why would a professional fighter in their prime try to fight through a relatively serious injury which could be made worse and possibly threaten their career? That's not lacking toughness - its being smart.

[Kuzzy Powers]

I just think all sports is much more pussified then it was 15-20 years ago. Old school fighters just seemed like grittier, more tough guys. Of course theres still those types of fighters left, but a lot of these guys are way too soft to be fighters. Faking injuries and shit? Pussy stuff.

PS: Lol @ awesome written as "assume".

[Bigpapa42]

I just think all sports is much more pussified then it was 15-20 years ago. Old school fighters just seemed like grittier, more tough guys. Of course theres still those types of fighters left, but a lot of these guys are way too soft to be fighters. Faking injuries and shit? Pussy stuff.

The faking injuries and stuff, to me, comes a lot from a "win at all costs" metality that permeates almost all sports. The idea of "honor" is long gone.

As for athletes being less tough, how much is it actually that and how much is just being smarter? Football players are no longer allowed to play through multiple concussions because of the long-term effects. Team would not likely let a player go back out onto the field with a serious injury because the risks are too great, not to mention liability concerns, etc. So yeah, I don't think athletes are quite as tough as they used to be but a lot of it is that they are allowed to be. There is simply a different mentality today, and that is what today's athletes grew up with.

[Kuzzy Powers]

The faking injuries and stuff, to me, comes a lot from a "win at all costs" metality that permeates almost all sports. The idea of "honor" is long gone.

As for athletes being less tough, how much is it actually that and how much is just being smarter? Football players are no longer allowed to play through multiple concussions because of the long-term effects. Team would not likely let a player go back out onto the field with a serious injury because the risks are too great, not to mention liability concerns, etc. So yeah, I don't think athletes are quite as tough as they used to be but a lot of it is that they are allowed to be. There is simply a different mentality today, and that is what today's athletes grew up with.

Agreed fully, generally tough and smart dont belong in the same description of someone. And with the money invested into athletes now-a-days, both the athletes and the owners are less willing to take the risk they may have once had to just to earn a paycheck.

And you may be right about the "winning at all costs" mentality, but I still say Josh Koscheck is a pussy. Anyone who fakes an injury is.. that includes soccer, which it happens all too often and its just written off as a "part of the game".