So, Strikeforce isn't dying after all....

[SHOGUN]

....they just signed a two-year extension into 2014. Poor Gilbert. Just he was finally going to make the jump to the UFC and fight the #2 LW in the world, ZUFFA and Showtime come to an agreement and he's pretty much forced to stay in Strikeforce for the remainder of his contract.

They are banishing the heavyweight division after the HWGP, so Cormier will eventually be in the UFC. Don't think they'll take Barnett.

[EmpireWF]

Read the GP winner will have one more SF fight before coming to the UFC.

No more Challenger shows?

If Melendez keeps winning, he'll eventually be in the UFC but it wont be anytime soon.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Read the GP winner will have one more SF fight before coming to the UFC.

No more Challenger shows?

If Melendez keeps winning, he'll eventually be in the UFC but it wont be anytime soon.

What would be the point? The roster is so stripped down that a lot of the fighters who would normally be on a Challengers show are on the main show now. Can't really have a "B" show for a promotion that has so few fighters. In reality, Strikeforce is the "B" show.

This is actually good news though for fans. The new contract no longer allows Dana to pluck the cream of the crop for UFC, so the fighters will now be bound to Strikeforce for the duration of their contracts. This will give SF a chance to find, develop, and retain stars, and carve out a new niche. 2011 was an ugly transition. I know Dana is generally full of shit, but I think he probably believed himself when he claimed "business as usual", but then the temptation was too strong when it came to guys like Diaz, Overeem, etc.

[CrimsonGhost56]

long live ZuffaForce

[Kuzzy Powers]

If they really want to get Gil into the UFC im certain they'll find a way to make it happen.

[Warner2BruceTD]

If they really want to get Gil into the UFC im certain they'll find a way to make it happen.

They'd have to find a loophole in his contract or wait for the contract to expire, because the terms of the new Showtime deal no longer allow Zuffa to pluck guys away. Showtime couldn't stop them up to this point.

I suppose they could "cut" Melendez the next time he loses, then sign him to the UFC.

[Liquidrob]

Strikeforce is dead, please rename, thanks

Gil needs to make the jump, poor guy can't catch a break